Automation as a job killer is highly overrated. (credit, sell, companies)

[Unsettomati]

People fail to understand that robotics are just another form of mechanization, and we don't have to scratch our heads and make guesses as to what happens when mechanization reduces the workforce in an industry - we can look at myriad historical examples and see precisely what happens.

Here's an example:

In 1850, 64% of the American workforce was employed in agriculture.

By 1900, that number had dropped to 38%.

By 1950, it was 12%.

Now it's about 2%.

Almost all of this reduction was due to one form of mechanization or another. And? All those people left unemployed as a result? They found other things to do. And they found customers for those things they were doing, be it in production or services.

That's how markets work. When a device allows fewer individuals to be employed to perform a task, it frees up individuals to do other things. And that's why despite ups and downs in the workforce, unemployment always returns to a rough average of 5%, which allows for normal transition periods between jobs. The market is not static but is constantly changing. That's a good thing. It's why 64% of us aren't in fields, planting and harvesting.

[rruff]

Originally Posted by Unsettomati

People fail to understand that robotics are just another form of mechanization, and we don't have to scratch our heads and make guesses as to what happens when mechanization reduces the workforce in an industry - we can look at myriad historical examples and see precisely what happens.

You can't look at history for advanced robotics. Can you think of any ways it would be different?

Also, people aren't simply "freed up" to do other things. Rather they are re-employed due to consumer demand, which depends upon consumers sharing in the wealth of higher productivity. Since the late 70s this hasn't been happening, rather demand is kept up by escalating debt.

[Joewy]

Im In Automation. I cant find enough engineers or techs.

It takes a lot of people with different skills for automation. You need electricians, Programmers, IT People, Cad designers, Web designers, Graphics designers, Automation engineers, Controls engineers and all the helpers and secretaries to keep all the paperwork in order.

I would say that most if not all of the assembly workers have or will be replaced not by machinery, but by higher paid more educated workers. What is changing is not the advent of less workers but quantity of goods and quality of goods produced.
The workers just migrated to better paying jobs.

[MLSFan]

Originally Posted by Joewy

I would say that most if not all of the assembly workers have or will be replaced not by machinery, but by higher paid more educated workers. What is changing is not the advent of less workers but quantity of goods and quality of goods produced.
The workers just migrated to better paying jobs.

but according to CD, some are too dumb to be educated or lazy to switch jobs, they want the screw a bolt and pass it on assembly jobs from the 1930s... you know, except they don't want the "physical" labor part of assembly work

their idea of assembly work is sitting in front of a car door, and using a power drill every few minutes

[Joewy]

Originally Posted by MLSFan

but according to CD, some are too dumb to be educated or lazy to switch jobs, they want the screw a bolt and pass it on assembly jobs from the 1930s... you know, except they don't want the "physical" labor part of assembly work

their idea of assembly work is sitting in front of a car door, and using a power drill every few minutes

Yes, I know. Hence the "I cant find enough Engineers or Techs."

I run ads all the time in California and for the most part the people who apply are recently immigrated people from India, Iraq, Middle east in general or China with a smattering from sough of the border someplace. It is a real rarity that someone who actually grew up in the states applies. And these are good paying jobs. Just no one wants to do them.

[redguard57]

Of course automation will eliminate a lot of jobs. That is not in question. The question will be...will our socio-political system survive the transition? How bad will the tensions be?

I recommend that some of you revisit your 19th and early 20th century history. The transition to a mechanized industrial economy was not without problems. We shouldn't think that the transition to an automation economy will be painless.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by mathjak107

industries don't operate in a vacuum . the factory automation industry has wholesalers that employ drivers , accounting people ,engineers and sales people . picker packers , etc .

the factories ,some of which do that here need workers in all capacity to make ,ship and deliver these parts .

there are endless connections in jobs that are related to an industry either directly or indirectly .

we employee drivers ,picker packers , accounting people ,warehouse people and sales people , panel builders , design engineers . that is only who we hire , then there are all the companies we interface with like accounting firms , legal firms ,office supply's etc .

ge , siemens , rockwell , etc who are major player for us , employs loads of people here in the states to handle that end of the business .

i would not be surprised if the rise of an industry creates more demand for jobs than the jobs it makes obsolete . it still takes loads of lower level people to keep the business's running that supply parts to build this stuff .

it used to be said about general motors here in ny that despite the fact it used robots to make cars, 1 in 5 business's were fed because of gm's presence here and 1 in 5 business's related to those business's that do business with gm are fed off that .

when gm closed tarry-town the area was devastated .

Industries don't operate in a vacuum. Those factory workers employed doctors, nurses, shopkeepers, car salesmen, building contractors, and a host of others who no longer provide necessary services to a bunch of machines. You can't use support staff as an excuse for robots. Factory workers had support staff too.

[mathjak107]

Originally Posted by Joewy

Yes, I know. Hence the "I cant find enough Engineers or Techs."

I run ads all the time in California and for the most part the people who apply are recently immigrated people from India, Iraq, Middle east in general or China with a smattering from sough of the border someplace. It is a real rarity that someone who actually grew up in the states applies. And these are good paying jobs. Just no one wants to do them.

my old company has ad's for workers all over in all positions . the quality of employees still out of work today sucks .

most applicants can not pass a drug , background or credit check . it is amazing how much drug use goes on in all ages , walks of life and areas of the country .

they advertise positions everywhere , many with good pay and benefits and the pickings are slim .

best of breed employees are taken care of by most companies and you really have to steal them to get them .

[mathjak107]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

Industries don't operate in a vacuum. Those factory workers employed doctors, nurses, shopkeepers, car salesmen, building contractors, and a host of others who no longer provide necessary services to a bunch of machines. You can't use support staff as an excuse for robots. Factory workers had support staff too.

Originally Posted by Joewy

Yes, I know. Hence the "I cant find enough Engineers or Techs."

I run ads all the time in California and for the most part the people who apply are recently immigrated people from India, Iraq, Middle east in general or China with a smattering from sough of the border someplace. It is a real rarity that someone who actually grew up in the states applies. And these are good paying jobs. Just no one wants to do them.

like water , most eventually seek there own level and end up finding other things to do . most of the robots today are replacing lower paid workers .

when you have no particular skill set that is of much demand it isn't so hard to switch gears in to something else. sorry i don't buy in to this automation is killing us crap . .

humans will adapt . they always have .


jowey , my old company has the same issues , finding employees .

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
these are jobs we have available right now at my old company . we don't build robots . we feed an entire industry parts that they use in the automation industry so we are only at the top of the food chain and just supply components . this is only a partial list of the demand there is in just our companies that need to be filled ..

This job opening is for*a reliable, entry-level engineer technician.
Duties:
Field Service Calls
Startup Services – control panels, VFDs, ATS switches, UPS systems
Make records of existing control conditions for replacement
Troubleshooting control circuits
Requirements:
Associates Degree
Familiar with Microsoft programs – Outlook, Excel, Word
Reading Electrical Schematics and basic electrical troubleshooting techniques
Capability to be in a job site or production factory environment (hot, cold, wet, dry, etc.) for a brief period of time
Desire/willingness to learn new concepts and methods.
Strong problem solving skills
Benefits Package:
Competitive and comprehensive Benefits Package
401K with company match contributions
Candidates are subject to a full background screening and drug testing.
We are*an Equal Opportunities Employer (EOE).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are seeking an innovative and motivated entry level Electrical Engineer.
Duties:
Product Design and specifications, including auto cad and procurement
Prepare concept sketches, layouts and specification documents as required.
Assignments involving new product design, product improvements, test analysis, production liaison and service liaison utilizing a variety of engineering disciplines
Structural, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical and/or control system design
Prepare basic analysis, test, performance, schedule, and cost information as required in assigned area of responsibility
Prepare and report on progress, feasibility, and concept studies, etc. as required
Supervise work of all assigned personnel
Assist other departments in preparation of manuals and sales literature on assigned projects
Maintain close contact and coordinate activities with other groups within the Product Engineering department.
Requirements:
Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering
Familiar with CAD Systems (2D/3D)
Reading Electrical Schematics and basic electrical troubleshooting techniques
Capability to be in a job site or production factory environment (hot, cold, wet, dry, etc.) for a brief period of time
Benefits Package:
Competitive and comprehensive Benefits Package
401K with company match contributions
Candidates are subject to a full background screening and drug testing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALES PROFESSIONAL
We are willing to train the right person. This is a great opportunity for development and advancement in a progressive organization.
Requirements:
At least 2 years of business to business sales experience
Desire to grow business through outside sales appointments
Track record of success and achievement as a sales representative
Consistently identify new sources of business
Maintain high productivity and standards
Strong negotiation and communication skills
Compensation:
Base salary
Commission
Bonus potential
Benefits Package:
Competitive and comprehensive Benefits Package
401K with company match contributions
Candidates are subject to a full background screening and drug testing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This opening is for an inside sales rep Candidate must possess excellent communication and analytical skills.*We are willing to train the right person. Recent college graduates a plus.
Duties:
Develop prospective customers’ interest in our solutions
Schedule appointments for the outside sales team
Meet productivity objectives
Requirements:
Maintain high productivity and standards
Strong up sell and communication skills
Benefits Package:
Competitive and comprehensive Benefits Package
401K with company match contributions
Candidates are subject to a full background screening and drug testing.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are seeking an experienced technician who would like to join a progressive, growing company that is delivering a revolutionary building energy management system.
Responsibilities
Installation of internet equipment, including routers/switches and network cabling
Troubleshooting and analyzing issues
Install wireless sensors in apartment buildings
Work with the installation department on special projects as the need arises
Perform other duties and responsibilities as required to fulfill job functions or as assigned
Promote Products and Services
Desired Skills and Experience
Excellent communication and interpersonal relationship skills;
Bilingual preferably Spanish speaking.
Multi-task, articulate, analytical.
Must have a valid driver’s license with clean driving record.
Must be detail-oriented and have problem solving skills.
Proficient in the use of computers and various software.
Work afternoon/evening shifts.
Experience in configuring internet routers or modems.
Must be proficient with hand tools.
Benefits Package:
Competitive and comprehensive Benefits Package
401K with company match contributions
Candidates are subject to a full background screening and drug testing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARKETING MANAGER

Responsible for:
• Develop a cohesive branding strategy and migration path for all companies under the corporate banner.
• Understands the value proposition for the company/companies through interaction with internal entities, departments etc., as well as customers, partners, and vendors/suppliers
• Works with management and operating companies to develop and execute effective marketing strategies and plans that positions and differentiates the various product and service offerings.
• Leads an e-marketing strategy that leverages the web and social media, including:
• website design, migration and maintenance
• e-marketing campaigns (ongoing)
• e-commerce post order support of established customers
• Creates integrated communications of both electronic and printed media
• Perform basic layout
• Edit and author content
• Coordinate and effectively communicate special events:
• Company sponsored trade shows
• Vendor trade shows
• Supports presentation development
• All other duties as assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
• Minimum three (3) years demonstrated success in business-business marketing of technical products and services
• Relevant formal education (BS, AAS degree) in marketing, business, communications, or technical field.
• Experience with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and web analytics
• Knowledge of relevant software & development packages (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.)

SKILLS & CAPABILITIES
• Initiative and persistence to execute projects with minimal direction
• Very strong communication skills in writing and verbal.
• Effective time management, organization and multi-tasking skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Very good team player who works well under pressure.
• Flexibility to quickly adapt to change


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OUTSIDE SALES

Immediate openings for experienced professionals with the skills, passion, and energy to drive our business expansion and growth. We are a full service high-technology automation distributor and engineering firm specializing in motion control, machine control, machine vision, factory and process automation in the New Jersey, and Metro NYC area.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for all sales results for all products and services within the assigned territory.
• Schedule outside appointments with existing customers to review applications requirements, and uncover new opportunities.
• Generate and develop new business to increase revenue, through prospecting activities, including cold calling.
• Effectively liaison between the company and customers for all ongoing account management activities including; quotations, pricing, delivery, technical support, service and new product releases.
• Establish and maintain up to date knowledge on new products, procedures, services and tools by successfully completing all training activities as needed.
• Prepare and execute effective sales presentations and demonstrations of company products and services for on-site customer meetings.
• Perform all administrative aspects of the position, including:
o Sales and marketing reports
o Maintenance of customer accounts including contact names and information.
o Expense accounts
• Utilize marketing data to maximize sales effectiveness.
• Organize joint sale calls and attend them with vendors.
• Attend conferences and trade shows.
• All other duties as assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
• Minimum three (3) years demonstrated sales success and technical knowledge of industrial control and automation applications, products, and services
• Relevant formal education in engineering discipline (BS, AAS degree) or equivalent training (military) or work experience.

SKILLS & CAPABILITIES
• Professionalism and business acumen to portray the company in a positive manner.
• Very strong communication skills in writing and verbal.
• Effective time management, organization and multi-tasking skills.
• Very good team player who works well under pressure.
• Capable of preserving confidential or sensitive information.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPONENT SALES SPECIALIST


We are a full service high-technology automation distributor and engineering firm specializing in motion control, machine control, machine vision, factory and process automation in the New Jersey, and Metro NYC area.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for all sales results for assigned products within the assigned territory.
• Utilize market data to develop business plans for assigned products that maximize sales effectiveness of the company; including the determination of market level pricing.
• Effectively liaison between the company and customers for all ongoing account management activities including; quotations, pricing, delivery, technical support, and new product releases.
• Prepare and execute effective sales presentations and demonstrations of company products and services for on-site customer meetings.
• Establish and maintain up to date knowledge on new products, procedures, services and tools by successfully completing all training activities as needed. Train other company sales and support resources as needed.
• Schedule outside appointments with existing customers to review applications requirements, and uncover new opportunities. Generate and develop new business to increase revenue, through prospecting activities, including cold calling.
• Perform all administrative aspects of the position, including:
o Sales and marketing reports
o Maintenance of customer accounts including contact names and information.
o Expense accounts
• Organize joint sale calls and attend them with vendors.
• Attend conferences and trade shows.
• All other duties as assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
• Minimum three (3) years demonstrated sales success and technical knowledge of industrial controls, circuit protection, motor control centers (MCC), component class programmable logic controllers (PLC) and variable frequency drives (VFD).
• Relevant formal education in engineering discipline (BS, AAS degree) or equivalent training (military) or work experience.

SKILLS & CAPABILITIES
• Professionalism and business acumen to portray the company in a positive manner.
• Very strong communication skills in writing and verbal.
• Effective time management, organization and multi-tasking skills.
• Very good team player who works well under pressure.
• Capable of preserving confidential or sensitive information.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DRIVERS /WAREHOUSE

Central Nassau Electrical & Plumbing Distributor seeks reliable team player with clean Driver's license for both Driving and Warehouse duties.
Box Truck Exp(16-18 ft) and Flat Bed truck is a plus.
No CDL required.
Knowledge of Nassau, Suffolk and the 5 Boros a plus.
Warehouse Responsibilities include - pick, pack and ship operation.
Ship LTL and UPS worldship
Benefits & 401K
PLEASE come in person to fill out an application with your NYS driver's license.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a Connecticut based Distributor and Manufacturer’s Representative of Electric Heating Products has an immediate opening for an experienced Outside Sales Professional to serve in the role of Heat Specialist/Business Developer for the New England Region.
Role and Responsibilities
Responsible for all sales results for all heating products within the New England territory.
Provide technical expertise regarding electric heaters and experience with heating applications to assist sales personnel during client project development.
Schedule outside appointments with existing customers to review applications requirements, and uncover new opportunities.
Generate and develop new business to increase revenue, through prospecting activities, including cold calling.
Effectively liaison between the company and customers for all ongoing account management activities including; quotations, pricing, delivery, technical support, service and new product releases.
Establish and maintain up to date knowledge on new products, services and tools by successfully completing all training required by vendors. Train other company sales and support resources as needed.
Prepare and execute effective sales presentations and demonstrations of company products and services for on-site customer meetings.
Provide backup to inside sales staff as needed (vacations, sick time, etc.)
Perform all administrative aspects of the position, including:
Sales and marketing reports
Maintenance of customer accounts including contact names and information.
Expense accounts
Utilize marketing data to maximize sales effectiveness.
Organize joint sale calls and attend them with vendors.
Attend conferences and trade shows.
All other duties as assigned from time to time.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
Minimum three (3) years demonstrated sales success and technical knowledge of industrial and/or commercial heating applications, products, and services.
Relevant formal education in engineering discipline (BS, AAS degree) or equivalent training (military) or work experience.
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook.
Able to become proficient with proprietary internal business systems
Skills & Capabilities
Professionalism and business acumen to portray the company in a positive manner.
Very strong communication skills in writing and verbal.
Effective time management, organization and multi-tasking skills.
Very good team player who works well under pressure.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a Distributor and Manufacturer's Representative of Electric Heating and Industrial Automation Products has an immediate opening for an experienced Outside Sales Professional. The candidate will promote our products in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Western Massachusetts. In this position you will call on distributors, contractors and a variety of small to medium size manufacturing companies.
The candidate must be professional, self-motivated, and organized. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. An electrical or engineering background is a definite plus.
Basic Qualifications:
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Internet
Outside Sales experience
Outgoing personality
Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team
High level of enthusiasm for excellence
Detail oriented
We offer competitive wages and a benefits package including health, 401(k), disability and life insurance plans.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributor of Industrial Automation and Heating products has an immediate opening for an Inside Sales Professional. The candidate will be responsible for order entry and all aspects of customer service including, quotations, expediting, and order tracking.
The candidate must be professional with a good telephone presence and be able to prioritize and direct callers to the appropriate staff or handle independently. You must be well organized, be able to multi-task and think independently in a fast paced environment. You will provide support to our outside sales force, to our customers and work directly with our vendors. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
Basic Qualifications:
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Internet
Inside Sales/Customer Service experience
Outgoing personality
Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team
High level of enthusiasm for excellence
Detail oriented

We offer competitive wages and a benefits package including health, 401(k), disability and life insurance, and long term care plans. For immediate consideration send your resume and cover letter with salary requirements.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

The real problem is that automation & robots aren’t destroying enough jobs. <== Not a typo. ROBOTS ARE NOT DESTROYING ENOUGH JOBS.

Too many sectors, such as health care or personal services, are so resistant to automation that they are holding back the entire country’s standard of living. For every medical doctor, we have 2.5 billing administrators on the medical provider side, and another army of billing administrators on the insurance company side. The medical practices employ these armies of glorified clerks in an attempt to extract reimbursements from insurance companies who in turn employe armies of glorified clerks in an attempt to minimize reimbursements. None of these people improve medical care. With good automation, we should be able to eliminate almost all those people, driving the cost of the health care/health insurance systems down.

It's not just health care.

If automation were rapidly displacing workers, the productivity of the remaining workers ought to be growing rapidly. Instead, growth in productivity—worker output per hour—has been dismal in almost every sector, including manufacturing.

Since 2007, low productivity sectors such as education, health care, social assistance, leisure and hospitality have added nearly 7 million jobs. Meantime, information and finance, where value added per worker is five to 10 times higher, have cut or barely added jobs.

This calls for a change in priorities. Instead of worrying about robots destroying jobs, business leaders need to figure out how to use them more, especially in low-productivity sectors.

Finance is so high value because it has already been automated. Digital data entry eliminated the jobs of legions of bookkeepers. I sold business machines in the '70s, and some orders were for 5000 adding machines at a pop, just because the old ones wore out. I saw auditorium sized buildings of women doing 10 key data entry just to keep track of daily receipts. I have a cousin who is in at the startup of a Seattle based mutual fund that is 100% traded by machines with no human intervention. It's less than a year old and they already have half a gigabuck in deposits. You don't need an army of analysts when one computer and an algorithm can do the job. Finance jobs are highly paid and repetitive, a prime target for automation. Banks are already laying off thousands of workers all the way up the food chain. When B of A laid off 2100 workers, a bunch of those were the supervisors for the eliminated positions. The layoffs are worldwide in all financial markets.

The jobs most resistant to automation are low paid, flexible positions. Hospitality is big. I don't want to order my drinks from a machine, I want a cocktail waitress in a short skirt who knows how to flirt with her customers. The hospital billing administrators are only necessary because hospitals have to bill dozens of different insurance companies, each one with different billing codes. My doctor has one person in his office who does nothing but keep billing and accounts receivable straight. Go to a sensible single payer system and 80% of those jobs would disappear overnight. It has nothing to do with automation, it's the system.

There will always be jobs for servants. I hire a housekeeping service because the roomba just won't do it in my house. A landscaper comes around once a year and fixes my yard, spreads new bark dust, replaces plants that died, etc.