According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the warehousing and storage sector employed approximately 1.8 million workers in August 2024. The employment change between 2013 and 2023 was 46.3%. The anticipated employment change between 2023 and 2033 is 5.9%, partly due to automation.
Finding the right balance between automation and human skills benefits your warehouse workforce. These factors strengthen warehouse efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings.
Balancing automation and human skills helps warehouse operations adapt to new technologies, customer demands, and market conditions. Whereas automation elevates safety, efficiency, and accuracy, human intervention provides flexibility, creativity, and problem-solving. Therefore, finding the right balance between automation and human skills helps optimize warehouse productivity and performance.
Rise of Warehouse Automation
Automated conveyor systems, robotic pickers, and autonomous forklifts are revolutionizing warehouses. The results include faster order processing, minimal errors, and 24-7 business operations. These factors help meet customer demands and keep the company competitive.
Importance of Human Skills in the Warehouse
Some warehouse workers are being displaced as machines take over repetitive tasks. However, these machines lack adaptability, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Therefore, both automation and human skills are needed to sustain warehouse operations.
Increased Warehouse Safety
Warehouse automation enhances employee safety. For instance, collaborative robots (cobots) handle repetitive tasks and heavy lifting while working alongside warehouse employees. These activities reduce the risks of employee accidents and injuries.
Warehouse Employee Upskilling and Reskilling
Employers should invest in upskilling and reskilling programs to sustain their warehouse workforces. Then, they can implement automation and train their employees to operate and maintain the systems. Finding the right balance between automation and human skills strengthens employee engagement, morale, and retention.
Phased Implementation of Warehouse Automation
Warehouse automation requires planning and gradual implementation. Making small changes over time lets employees adapt to the new tools, technologies, and impacts on jobs. This gradual implementation helps reduce employee anxiety and resistance.
Get Help Hiring Skilled Warehouse Employees
Let Impact Staffing get to work finding you tech-savvy operators, forklift drivers, and warehouse coordinators to complement your automated systems. Reach out to discuss your hiring needs today.
