赋能前线：留住、培训和提升工业劳动力技能

Empowering Frontlines: Retaining, Training and Upskilling Industrial WorkforceW H I T E P A P E RS E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5In collaboration with McKinsey & CompanyImages: Getty Images, Adobe StockDisclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders.© 2025 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.ContentsForeword 31 Cultivating a resilient workforce 41.1 Addressing the attrition challenge: Beyond the exit interview 51.2 Innovations for enhanced retention 51.3 A culture of commitment goes both ways 2 Empowering today’s workforce: Upskilling for the digital era 92.1 Bridging the skill gap: Preparing for intelligent production 10 and productivity2.2 Innovations for upskilling and reskilling 102.3 Driving a culture of inspired learning 13Conclusion and next steps 14Contributors 15Methodology 16Endnotes 17Empowering Frontlines2ForewordThe heart of production is found not in machinery or technology, but in the people who lead and operate in the production environment. As we navigate an era of rapid technological advancements and supply chain disruptions, our approach to talent must evolve in tandem. The insights presented in this paper underscore a fundamental truth: the future of manufacturing hinges on keeping people at the centre of strategy.The manufacturing sector is grappling with a talent crisis of high attrition rates and widening skill gaps driven by the integration of AI, automation and other frontier technologies. The World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs 2025” report projected that by 2030, nearly 40% of the core skills of advanced manufacturing and supply chain workforce will change. This challenge is compounded by the fact that over 40% of Gen Z employees in manufacturing expressed the intention of leaving their jobs within the next three to six months, driven by factors such as inadequate compensation, lack of career development and a disconnect with leadership.Companies that succeed in making a fundamental shift in how they invest in their workforce will not only enhance their productivity and innovation but also secure long-term competitive advantage. This is the second white paper in the Frontline Talent of the Future series, building on the first publication, “Putting Talent at the Centre: An Evolving Imperative for Manufacturing”. This paper explores innovative approaches to two critical components of the strategic talent planning process: retention and upskilling of the wo