Frontline Talent of the Future

Putting people first: a new imperative for manufacturing

It has never been harder to attract, retain and engage workers than it is today. The Frontline Talent of the Future initiative partnered with nine companies to develop a comprehensive assessment process to identify examples of successful frontline talent investments.

This technician went from the factory floor to the control room. Her story shows how frontline talent roles are changing

Chindarat Ninnama tells us the story of how data and digital tools transformed her factory job into a career brimming with new opportunities

This factory in Chicago has been producing condiments, such as mayo, for 100 years

See how Unilever's largest condiments factory in the world was able to work alongside its labor union to upskill their workforce and offer people like Jose Pruneda the chance to go from a maintenance technician to a reliability specialist.

How to harness technology and talent in manufacturing: Lessons from the Global Lighthouse Network

In the ever-evolving landscape of manufacturing and supply chains, the World Economic Forum's Global Lighthouse Network stands as a beacon of productivity innovation. These Lighthouses are pioneers of technology and leaders in harnessing the power of their workforce to drive meaningful change.

Video Spotlight: Country Readiness for Manufacturing and Supply chains

Manufacturing is booming in some nations. Here’s what they have in common

5 misconceptions about manufacturing that belong in the past

When we think about AI transforming industries, manufacturing is probably not the first one that springs to mind. And, yet, the sector is embracing the technology more rapidly than oil, gas and mining, government administration, and even healthcare.

Indiana's scalable model for closing the manufacturing talent gap

Some 78 million new jobs will be created globally in the next five years, according to the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2025. In the US manufacturing sector alone, there could be as many as 3.8 million new employees needed by 2033, yet nearly half of these roles are at risk going unfilled if manufacturers don’t improve the attractiveness of the sector and address skill gaps.