Automation Impacts the Workforce: How Our Team Thrives with Technology

When we first started introducing automation, the buzz on the floor wasn’t excitement—it was concern. People wanted to know how automation impacts the workforce. Would their roles disappear? Would their skills still matter? Those questions were fair. After all, whenever you hear news about robotics in manufacturing, the headlines almost always focus on job loss. 

But here’s the truth we’ve lived at Space Age Electronics: the “automation impacts the workforce” story is very different when you bring your team along for the ride. For us, automation hasn’t been about replacement. It’s been about amplification. 

From Fear to Freedom 

Early on, we took time to explain exactly what automation would and would not do. Machines would handle repetitive, high-volume tasks—the kind of work that left people staring at the clock or fighting fatigue. What automation wouldn’t do was take away craftsmanship, judgment, or creativity. 

And once our team saw that shift in action, the mood changed. Instead of spending entire shifts repeating the same bend or weld, fabricators started taking on projects that needed more direct involvement. They weren’t losing value—they were gaining the freedom to use their value in more meaningful ways. 

It’s a change that’s echoed across the industry. Successful automation programs strengthen the role of people by refocusing them on higher-level problem solving. 

Automation Impacts the Workforce’s Craftsmanship in a Digital Age 

One of the most rewarding shifts has been watching skilled tradespeople evolve into a hybrid role: part craftsman, part technologist. 

On any given day, our operators might troubleshoot a robotic program, refine the way a part is nested for production, or step into a custom project that requires careful, hands-on execution. Their years of manual experience make them even better at guiding advanced equipment. 

This mix of traditional skill and new technology means our workforce hasn’t been diminished, it’s been amplified. And because the routine work is automated, the time they do spend on the bench or at the welding table carries more pride and purpose. 

Training Builds Confidence, Not Fear 

Of course, this transition didn’t happen overnight. We invested in ongoing training to help employees grow alongside our automation. They learned how to program robots, perform maintenance, and adjust workflows to keep machines running smoothly. 

Training did more than teaching new skills—it built confidence. People stopped worrying that automation would take their jobs and started realizing it was making their jobs more interesting. That shift in mindset not only boosted morale, but it also boosted productivity. 

Manufacturers who align automation with workforce upskilling see measurable gains in both output and retention. We’ve seen the same. 

Morale, Productivity, and a New Way Forward as Automation Impacts the Workforce

Today, our employees know automation isn’t the enemy. It’s the assistant that takes the strain off their backs and gives them the space to do more of what they enjoy: solving problems, refining processes, and creating quality work. 

Job satisfaction is higher than ever because the team feels valued—not just as machine operators, but as problem-solvers and contributors. And when morale rises, productivity follows. 

How automation impacts the workforce isn’t fear and displacement. It’s growth, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Looking Ahead 

In Part 7 of our series, we’ll talk about why strategy—not just speed—shapes the future of automation at Space Age Electronics. Because as we’ve learned, machines may move fast, but it’s people who decide where we’re going.