Event round-up: Jobs, Automation & the Robotics Revolution
The rise of automation and robotics has triggered a whirlwind of curiosity, excitement, and, yes, a fair share of apprehension. But what’s the real story behind the headlines?
In late 2024, techUK hosted an event as part of it’s Exploring the Future of Work series, looking at the challenges and opportunities created by the adoption of robotics and automation technologies in the workplace. Read or watch a summary of techUK’s event furthering the debate on automation and robotics.
Speakers
, Associate Director, Institute for the Future of Work
, Associate Director, WithYouWithMe
, General Secretary, International Federation of Robotics
Umang Patel, Enterprise Automation - Consulting Leader (UKI, EMEA), Cognizant
, Chief Executive Officer, Automate UK
, Head of Skills, Talent & Diversity, techUK (chair)
Automation and robotics defined
A robot is a programmable machine capable of carrying out tasks autonomously. Automation refers to the process of automating tasks using technology. While these are distinct concepts, most automation projects tend to rely on robotics. Automation is the broader umbrella—think conveyor belts or software streamlining repetitive tasks. Robotics, on the other hand, is a subset involving physical machines (like industrial robots or collaborative robots (cobots) performing tasks alongside or independent of humans. Umang Patel of Cognizant pointed out that the magic happens when automation and AI merge, unlocking possibilities across industries from healthcare to logistics.
Jobs are changing
Contrary to the idea that “robots are taking our jobs,” Kester Brewin, the Institute for the Future of Work, highlighted that job displacement is not the dominant trend. Instead, the focus is on training and upskilling workers to thrive in evolving roles. For example, high-skill welders using cobots are finding their productivity soaring, but now the question remains how we can ensure entry-level welders can climb the skill ladder. As robots take on new skills, the entry-level skills base changes.
Katie Marriott from WithYouWithMe highlighted how automation can unlock opportunities for underrepresented groups by valuing potential over experience. With free training and pathways to tech careers, organisations like WithYouWithMe are rewriting the rulebook on workforce diversity.
We must invest in people as well as machines
Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Unrealistic expectations about what automation can achieve can lead to frustration. Peter Williamson of Automate UK highlighted that SMEs often struggle to understand their automation needs and engage effectively with suppliers. The panel agreed that if you do automation without really engaging your workforce the productivity gains can be pretty rubbish. The danger is that the workforce think automation is something that happens to them, not with them.
Susanne Bieller of International Federation of Robotics emphasised that we need the operators. There are still so many tasks we cannot automate in the future, and we need people and operators to check the production.
According to the Employer Skills Survey 2022, only 60% of establishments have funded or arranged any training for staff, a decrease of 6% since 2017. A 2022 report by the Learning and Work Institute highlights that the amount that employers spend on training per employee has fallen real terms by 28% since 2005 and is now less than half the EU average. We still do not have the right system in place to support lifelong learning.
Examples of great robotics
A UK-based SME integrated robotics post-pandemic to manage production shortages. By engaging employees in the transition and using robots for night shifts, they boosted productivity and improved work-life balance.
A mid-sized German manufacturer automated dangerous tasks while retraining staff for other roles. The result? Higher safety and an engaged workforce.
A logistics firm reduced fuel costs and streamlined operations with algorithmic management—but only after collaborating with their staff to ensure smooth adoption.
The key takeaway from the panel and these examples: automation succeeds when it’s inclusive, involving the workforce every step of the way. As automation reshapes industries, it’s our collective responsibility to shape automation.
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