Robots will NOT steal UK jobs"¦ they could create more

The research was conducted amongst over 1000 manufacturing professionals and was led by The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF), a non-profit body for ergonomists and human factors practitioners, in collaboration with CV-Library, the UK's leading independent job site. The study sought to ascertain the true perception and reality of automation and robotics amongst those who experience it first-hand.

Key findings revealed that most professionals (72.6 per cent) feel society is scare-mongered into believing robotics and automation are a negative progression. In addition:

• 4 out of 5 manufacturers (78.9 per cent) feel more should be done to promote the benefits of automation and robotics in the workplace
• Almost half of industry professionals (45.8 per cent) claim the business they work for does not communicate the benefits of automation to staff, particularly to those involved in first-hand production
• Unsurprisingly, therefore, over half of industry professionals (52 per cent) admit that there is resistance from employees when implementing new automated processes

Furthermore, when asked who was responsible for promoting the benefits, respondents pointed the finger towards employers (80 per cent) and technology suppliers (67.8 per cent).

Commenting on the research results, Steve Barraclough, CEO of the CIEHF, says: "Robots and automation are regularly given a bad name. However, whilst automation might remove some mundane and repetitive jobs, it also makes a significant contribution to "upskilling' employees, which is often overlooked.

"Automation requires programmers and maintainers in areas where they may not have been previously necessary. This presents a real opportunity to businesses and manufacturers that are embracing change. It's essential to keep people at the heart of new technology and to "on-board' staff at the earliest opportunity. Human factors plays a significant role in the on-boarding process and is essential to ensuring employees are not resistant to change."

Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library, concludes: "These latest findings are good news for the UK's labour market. Skills shortages are an ongoing concern across a number of industries, so it's refreshing to hear that new technologies and processes in the workplace can help to close this gap and support businesses in upskilling their workforce."

For more information on the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors, please see www.ergonomics.org.uk. For more information on CV-Library, please see www.cv-library.co.uk.