What is SACA?

SACA Credentials: Preparing Today’s Workforce for Industry 4.0

I’m willing to bet you’ve heard something about this thing called a “skills gap” in recent years. Maybe you’re wondering what exactly it is and why it’s such a big deal.

A skills gap is a gap between the skills an employee has and the skills they actually need to perform a job well. It’s a big deal because it’s costing our economy big bucks. In fact, a 2019 study by yahoo!finance predicted the skills gap seen across our nation, particularly in the manufacturing sector, will cost the U.S. economy $1.2 trillion over the next decade. 

How did we get here?

The skills gap can be attributed primarily to the following:

  1. Retirement of older workers. The Pew Research Center found that the number of Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) who retired between 2019 and 2020 far outpaced the number of retirements across this generation than ever before. When these retirees walk out the door of their company for the last time, they often take 30+ years of knowledge with them.   

  2. Lack of skilled workers. Technology continues to advance at a breaknecking pace and training offered by educational institutions and organizations have simply had a hard time keeping up. 

  3. Lack of desire to work in manufacturing. The manufacturing industry is still fighting the age-old perception that manufacturing facilities are dark and dirty, that they are male dominated, and that careers in the industry pay less. Nearly 30% of manufacturing workers today are women, and this number continues to rise. Additionally, there are currently 30 million manufacturing jobs that do not require a bachelor’s degree yet have a median salary of $55,000.  

What’s the solution?

Industry 4.0 is characterized by connected technologies, such as smartphones and robotics, which reduce downtime and increase quality and productivity. These advanced technologies also require today’s workers to have more advanced technical and technological skills than ever before. Enter SACA (Smart Automation Certification Alliance).  

SACA provides a wide range of credentials through Ohio’s Career and Technical Schools. Training is economical and fast tracks high school and adult learners for a successful career in manufacturing. Associate, specialist and professional certifications are offered, alongside micro-credentials that focus on building in-demand skills one by one, allowing students to design the career they wish to have. Additionally, students learn at their own pace through online modules. 

The organization’s credentials are industry-led; they are reviewed, tested and approved by some of the top manufacturers in the world. When students access these at Ohio Career and Technical Schools, they gain access to the skills they need for little or no cost! Additionally, local manufacturers benefit from a trained local workforce.

Whether you’re an organization seeking today’s top talent, or a student wishing to pursue a career in manufacturing, learn more here and reach out to your local Career and Technical School to start your path to success, today!