The need for worker training in advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) environments: A white paper

The international globalization of the World markets for manufactured goods , particularly consumer goods, has placed an emphasis on nations to improve manufacturing productivity. This need to improve productivity is further p rompted by a potential loss of competitive edge in the global marketplace. The market competitiveness and efficiency of any nation is primarily depend ent upon the economy, reliability, quality, quickness, and ease of its manu facturing processes and the resulting quality of outcomes (products). To a major extent, the skills of the workforce determine the effectiveness and t he efficiency of the process of manufacturing and the quality of goods prod uced. And yet, there is a severe lack of standardized and consistent worker training programs for skills needed by workers in modern manufacturing org anizations. This review paper shows that there is a dire need to train work ers in manufacturing organizations and thereby improve the overall effectiv eness and efficiency of such organizations.