June 2026

Walk through a modern manufacturing facility and you’ll see robotic weld cells, automated packaging lines, vision inspection systems, conveyors, sensors, and sophisticated control systems working together to produce products with incredible speed and consistency.

From the outside, it might seem like the machines are doing all the work.

But every manufacturer knows the truth. When automation stops, production stops.

And the people responsible for keeping those systems running are automation technicians.

These skilled professionals have become some of the most valuable people on the plant floor as manufacturing becomes more connected, automated, and technology-driven. They’re the troubleshooters, problem-solvers, and technical experts who ensure manufacturers get the return on investment they expect from increasingly sophisticated equipment.

In many ways, they’re also the bridge between manufacturing’s past and future.

The Human Side of Automation

One of the most common misconceptions about automation is that it reduces the need for skilled workers.

In reality, automation changes the kind of skilled workers manufacturers need.

Today’s automated facilities still rely on people who can install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and optimize the systems that drive production. Industrial automation technicians combine mechanical aptitude, electrical knowledge, controls expertise, and software skills to keep these systems operating at peak performance.

At FlexTrades, we see this demand every day. While Automation Technician and Controls Technician are common job titles, manufacturers are also searching for PLC Programmers, Industrial Maintenance Technicians, Robotics Technicians, and other skilled professionals who can confidently work with increasingly automated equipment.

The technology may be evolving, but the need for skilled people has never gone away.

Automation Doesn’t Replace Skilled Trades. It Changes Them.

For decades, people have predicted that automation would eliminate manufacturing jobs.

What we’re actually seeing is something different.

As manufacturing technology becomes more advanced, the need for highly skilled people becomes even more important.

Robots still need to be programmed. Sensors still need to be calibrated. PLCs still need to be diagnosed. Automated systems still need to be maintained, repaired, and optimized.

In many cases, today’s manufacturing facilities require a higher level of technical expertise than ever before.

Modern manufacturing doesn’t need fewer skilled tradespeople. It needs tradespeople with different skills.

Automation technicians are among the clearest examples of how the skilled trades continue to evolve alongside technology rather than being replaced by it.

Why Demand Continues to Grow

Manufacturers across nearly every sector are investing heavily in automation.

Food and beverage producers rely on automated processing and packaging equipment to maintain throughput. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use sophisticated automated systems to ensure consistency and compliance. Automotive, agricultural equipment, and aviation manufacturers depend on robotics, controls systems, and advanced production technology to meet quality and production goals.

The common denominator is simple: automation only creates value when it’s operating reliably.

A robotic cell that isn’t producing parts, a PLC issue that shuts down a line, or a sensor failure that interrupts production can quickly become a costly problem. As equipment becomes more capable, it also becomes more complex.

That’s where automation technicians create tremendous value.

They help manufacturers maximize uptime by:

Troubleshooting equipment failures
Diagnosing electrical and controls issues
Supporting equipment installations and startups
Performing preventive maintenance
Optimizing automated systems
Improving equipment reliability and efficiency

Their work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout the entire operation.

More Than Maintenance

Many people assume automation technicians only get involved when something breaks. The reality is much different.

The best technicians spend significant time preventing failures before they occur. They monitor system performance, identify potential issues, update software, calibrate equipment, and make adjustments that improve reliability.

Their goal isn’t simply fixing equipment. It’s helping manufacturers avoid downtime altogether.

As production systems become increasingly interconnected, that proactive mindset becomes even more valuable. A single issue can affect an entire automated process. Skilled automation professionals understand how those systems interact and can identify root causes quickly, minimizing disruption and keeping production moving.

A Career Built for Problem Solvers

For skilled trades professionals, industrial automation also offers something many careers can’t: continuous growth. No two days ever look exactly the same.

One day may involve troubleshooting a PLC communication issue. The next may involve supporting a robotic system startup, diagnosing a controls problem, or helping optimize production performance.

The technicians who thrive in these roles are often lifelong learners who enjoy solving complex problems and understanding how systems work.

Success typically requires a blend of:

Mechanical troubleshooting
Electrical knowledge
PLC and controls experience
Robotics familiarity
Critical thinking
Adaptability
Continuous learning

For tradespeople who enjoy challenges and want to work at the intersection of technology and manufacturing, industrial automation offers a rewarding and increasingly valuable career path.

The Growing Talent Challenge for Manufacturers

Unfortunately, demand for automation expertise is growing faster than the available talent pool. This is one of the most common challenges we hear from manufacturers across the country.

Many companies aren’t struggling because they don’t recognize the importance of automation talent. They’re struggling because that talent can be difficult to find.

In many markets, employers are competing for the same limited group of experienced technicians. Some manufacturers are located in regions where automation expertise simply isn’t available in sufficient numbers. Others are investing heavily in training and upskilling existing maintenance teams but need support while those efforts develop.

The challenge becomes even greater when production schedules, facility expansions, equipment installations, or critical projects can’t wait for a lengthy hiring process.

That’s why manufacturers increasingly look beyond their local labor market to find the skills they need.

The Future of Manufacturing Still Needs Skilled People

Manufacturing technology will continue advancing. Robots will become smarter. Production systems will become more connected. Artificial intelligence will play a larger role in manufacturing operations.

But none of those innovations eliminate the need for skilled tradespeople. In fact, they increase it.

Manufacturers don’t just need people. They need proven skilled tradespeople who can create certainty in increasingly complex production environments.

Industrial automation technicians, robotics technicians, PLC programmers, and other automation-focused professionals play a critical role in making that happen.

For manufacturers, they’re essential to productivity, uptime, and operational success.

For skilled trades professionals, they represent one of the most exciting and future-focused career paths in modern manufacturing.

And for both, they’re a reminder that the future of manufacturing isn’t less human than before. It’s more dependent than ever on the right people with the right skills.

In June of 1996, the National Safety Council (NSC) announced the first National Safety Month. Thirty years later, the annual June observance continues to promote workplace safety to employers and employees in high-risk industries, including manufacturing.

This year, the first week of National Safety Month focuses on moving safety forward by advancing a culture of safety with forward-thinking strategies and tools.

This blog will focus on some of the strategies and tools that FlexTrades uses year-round to promote safety in the workplace for our employees.

Proactive Approach

Our Risk & Safety Team is involved with every project before we have any boots on the ground. Before sending one of our employees into what could be a dangerous environment, it is important to understand the risks a project presents and ensure that each potential job site is proactively addressing those risks to keep people safe.

Some of the first documents we request from a potential client are their OSHA logs and safety records. The Risk & Safety Team reviews those documents to understand the site history and ensure safety compliance.

Sometimes, we will find a gap in a potential client’s safety approach or documentation. Whenever that happens, we work to resolve those gaps. Worst case, we may decline a project if we do not feel those gaps can be properly filled or if there is unnecessary risk to a FlexTrades employee. But normally, safety concerns are addressed and we can confidently move forward.

Early in the relationship, our Risk & Safety Team builds a relationship with the client safety point of contact so there is a direct line of communication from the start.

Communicating Safety

Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it is important to regularly communicate safety topics to keep them top of mind. At FlexTrades, we produce content that helps maintain safety awareness across the industry. That includes anything from blogs like this to social media posts that promote content from organizations like the National Safety Council (NSC) or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

It is equally important to consistently and clearly communicate safety information to our technicians. Leading up to a deployment, our technicians receive all the details about the project they will be starting. This includes their travel arrangements and details about their position, but it also includes Safety First Reminders.

Safety First Reminders include the basics, like what PPE a technician is required to bring versus what will be provided on site. The reminders also include position-specific information. For instance, a welder’s Safety First Reminders will include reminders about ventilation, inspecting equipment, protective barriers, and fire safety.

Reporting Unsafe Conditions

Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world. Bad things can happen despite proactive efforts to prevent them, and we always want to be aware of any unsafe activity so we can address it and learn how to prevent it.

With that in mind, we created an Employee Safety Hotline. This is a phone number provided to all employees where they can anonymously report anything that is unsafe on a job site.

What can be reported?

Unsafe working conditions
Accidents, injuries, or near misses
Harassment, bullying, or workplace violence
Any concerns affecting safety or well-being

For some people, it can be hard to speak up about these topics, especially if it involves a coworker or leader. With this anonymous hotline, we hope to enable all our employees to comfortably report any unsafe activities.

Recognizing Safe Practices

It is also important to celebrate safe outcomes and recognize the people who go above and beyond to contribute to them. Our SpotSafe Program empowers our Operations Engagement Managers (OEMs) to quickly recognize technicians for safe, proactive behavior. It also provides additional incentives for everyone to find ways to maintain the highest safety standards.

Why should this be important to everyone?

Safer, more efficient projects with reduced risk and downtime
Hazards are identified and corrected in real time
A strong safety culture is promoted on projects
Technicians are motivated to perform at their best

There are three categories for recognition in the SpotSafe Program.

The first category for recognition is “Hazard Hero.” This recognizes employees for reporting and/or correcting hazards or near misses. A hazard or near miss may not cause an injury the first time or even the hundredth time, but it represents a gap that can be filled to keep everyone safe.

The second category for recognition is “Safe Start.” This recognizes employees for consistently following PPE requirements on site. PPE requirements are based on lessons learned in blood and tears, and they are the last line of defense in the Hierarchy of Controls.

The third category is “Lead by Example.” This recognizes employees for coaching peers, mentoring, or leading safety initiatives. Leadership is not just top-down. Someone who takes safety to heart and encourages those around them to do the same is extremely valuable.

Winners receive a certificate announcing which category they were nominated for. They also earn raffle entries for monthly and annual awards that include prizes and company-wide recognition.

Conclusion

National Safety Month serves as an important reminder that safety is never a one-time conversation or a box to check. In manufacturing and skilled trades, maintaining a strong culture of safety requires consistent communication, proactive planning, accountability, and recognition of the people who make safety a priority every day.

At FlexTrades, safety is built into every stage of the process. From evaluating projects before they begin, to preparing technicians for the environments they will enter, to creating open channels for reporting concerns and recognizing employees who lead by example, these efforts are all part of our commitment to protecting our people and helping create safer, more productive job sites for everyone involved.

As we recognize National Safety Month this June, we encourage everyone across the industry to continue moving safety forward by staying proactive, speaking up, and supporting one another both on and off the job site.