Advanced Manufacturing
What is Manufacturing?
Manufacturing is all about getting things made. Manufacturers use technology, machinery and tools to create and produce all kinds of goods from raw materials.
Manufacturing blends technology and innovation with creativity and problem solving – meaning that people working in this sector have the chance to work on cutting-edge projects that shape and improve the future of the industry.
Manufacturing is…
Creating and producing a product from raw materials, either by human labour or with the help of machinery and tools.
Your career in manufacturing could see you working in…
- Production and operations
- Engineering and design
- Research and development (R&D)
- Automation and robotics
- Health, safety and environmental (HSE)
- Quality control and assurance
- Maintenance and technical services
- Supply chain and logistics
- Exports
- Marketing, sales, & customer service
- Leadership and executive roles
Or all of the above!
Industry 4.0 and Advanced Manufacturing
Industry 4.0 is like the “next level” of manufacturing, where factories use smart technology — like robots, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data — to make production faster, safer more sustainable. Imagine factories where machines can “talk” to each other, make decisions or even fix themselves when something goes wrong. Advanced Manufacturing is all about combining digital technology with traditional manufacturing to create a smarter and more connected production process.
As this industry continues to adapt and change, there are endless opportunities for you to make a difference and drive change. Manufacturers are always looking to do better, asking why, creating more sustainable methods and reducing waste.
Watch: What is Manufacturing with FutureForce® Careers Hub
SMARTER FUTURES: ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
The Advanced Manufacturing industry in the Waikato region supports and adds value to a diverse range of industries, including…
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Healthcare
- Automotive
- Agriculture
Advanced Manufacturing is a highly skilled industry, developing and adopting new technology and contributing to our region’s exports.
This industry has benefited from the region’s location, skilled workforce, and supportive business environment. The Waikato region is also home to world-class research institutions and facilities that provide advanced manufacturing companies with access to the latest technologies and expertise.
Is a career in Manufacturing right for you?
Manufacturing is a bit like a team sport, with everyone working together to achieve a common goal. As with any team sport, communication, team-work, collaboration, competitive spirit, and the right attitude are highly valued skills.
Having the ability to function well within a team and collaborate effectively is going to make you a perfect fit for this industry.
In such a diverse sector, there is a role to suit everybody, whether you are creative, a problem solver, or a natural born leader, there is something for everyone. The world of manufacturing is highly dynamic and there is always room to improve, finding ways to do better, and overcoming challenges.
You will thrive in a manufacturing environment if you are curious, creative and ready to challenge the status quo!
Take the next step towards your career, be a part of this highly competitive industry, and dive into the world of manufacturing today.
MANUFACTURERS ARE:
- Team players
- Motivated to succeed
- Curious and creative
- Practical and enjoy hands-on work
- Dependable
- Good communicators
- Willing to learn
DO YOU HAVE SKILLS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS?
- Design
- Technical
- Computer
- Creative
- Manual skills
A career in manufacturing may be right for you!
Manufacturing in Waikato
Waikato is the third largest manufacturing region in New Zealand. This dynamic industry is contributes over $3 billion dollars to New Zealand’s GDP*. In Waikato, manufacturing is our second biggest industry, just behind construction. There are nearly 2,500 manufacturing businesses Waikato and over 26,000 people work in this industry.
*GDP (Gross Domestic Product) = a measure used to evaluate the health of a country’s economy. It is the total value of the goods and services produced in a country during a specific period of time, usually a year.
Ready to kickstart your career in manufacturing?
We are seeking expressions of interest for this exciting ‘Earn as you Learn’ opportunity in partnership with some of Waikato’s leading businesses – gain valuable experience with top Waikato Manufacturers while you earn a New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing (Level 3).
Mini Manufacturing Dictionary…
There’s new technology evolving all the time in this growing industry. Some of the exciting things you might see in Advanced Manufacturing are…
Smart Manufacturing and the Internet of Things
The Internet of Things, or IoT for short, allows physical objects to connect to each other and share data. For this to happen, the ‘things’ need to be Smart objects – which means they can connect to the internet, connect to each other through the internet and be accessed by users remotely.
This is where Smart Manufacturing comes in. Smart Manufacturing uses interconnected systems that allow for real time monitoring and the optimisation of production processes.
Put a little more simply, it’s pieces of technology that are all linked up with each other (through being connected via the internet) that send data straight away (aka in real-time) so that you can check things (monitor) and make them better (optimisation).
Additive Manufacturing
Additive Manufacturing is the process of building a three-dimensional object by constructing it one layer at a time. Pretty much 3-D printing! But bigger than just making fidget toys or Croc charms. New technology in additive manufacturing is allowing for us to ‘3D print’ really big things like buildings and structures.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is sometimes also called machine learning and is a way of teaching computers to “think” and learn a bit like humans do.
It helps computers understand and solve problems, like recognising faces in photos or suggesting what videos you might like to watch, curating your FYP on TikTok or your DJ on Spotify… even auto-correct on your phone is an example of AI! Think of it as giving a computer a brain to make decisions or help you with tasks, but it still needs humans to guide it!
