# Brains Over Brawn: How to Keep Boomers in the Workforce

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2022-10-04
- Length: 34m
- Episode: 122
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-10-04-brains-over-brawn-how-to-keep-boomers-in-the-workforce
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-d5a7853d-14e4-4252-9e31-67440a5b46a2

## Summary

Will Healy III, a founding board member of the Advance Manufacturing Industry Partnership (AMIP) and recent hire at Universal Robots, discusses strategies for retaining Baby Boomers and attracting Gen Z in manufacturing. Healy argues for 'people-centric technology' investments—such as cobots, exoskeletons, and traceability systems—to reduce physical strain and leverage Boomer expertise. He also highlights the critical need for diversity and immediate feedback loops to meet the expectations of younger workers and bridge the skills gap.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-10-04-brains-over-brawn-how-to-keep-boomers-in-the-workforce#t=0) Introduction and Guest Background
- [7:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-10-04-brains-over-brawn-how-to-keep-boomers-in-the-workforce#t=465) The Case for People-Centric Technology
- [13:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-10-04-brains-over-brawn-how-to-keep-boomers-in-the-workforce#t=781) Retaining Boomers: Brains Over Brawn
- [20:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-10-04-brains-over-brawn-how-to-keep-boomers-in-the-workforce#t=1239) Gen Z Expectations: Feedback and Training
- [24:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-10-04-brains-over-brawn-how-to-keep-boomers-in-the-workforce#t=1495) Diversity as a Talent Strategy
- [30:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-10-04-brains-over-brawn-how-to-keep-boomers-in-the-workforce#t=1814) Community Engagement and Manufacturing Day

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Advance Manufacturing Industry Partnership (company)
- Gorilla 76 (company)
- Universal Robots (company)
- Cobots (product)
- Exoskeletons (product)
- Creators Wanted (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [EMS@C Panel: Navigating the Resurgence of European Manufacturing, New Challenges, and Opportunities with KATEK Group and Zollner](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-11-26-ems-c-panel-navigating-the-resurgence-of-european-manufacturing-new-challenges-a) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [BONUS: 3 Automation and Workforce Trends Impacting Manufacturers in 2025](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-12-31-bonus-3-automation-and-workforce-trends-impacting-manufacturers-in-2025) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: Gaps in the Manufacturing Industry (and what to do about them), LIVE from Fathom's Manufacturing Exchange in Hartland, WI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-07-bonus-gaps-in-the-manufacturing-industry-and-what-to-do-about-them-live-from-fat) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Attracting the Next Generation of Manufacturing Talent with "The Manufacturing Millennial" Jake Hall](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-02-23-attracting-the-next-generation-of-manufacturing-talent-with-the-manufacturing-mi) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [193: Discussing the Skills Gap over a Beer: Live from Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids, MI (Powered by SwipeGuide)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-07-09-193-discussing-the-skills-gap-over-a-beer-live-from-founders-brewing-in-grand-ra) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-10-04-brains-over-brawn-how-to-keep-boomers-in-the-workforce. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Manufacturing Executive.