Reskilling is the strategic process of training existing employees to acquire entirely new skill sets necessary for different roles, driven by technological upheaval.

This is a proactive human capital strategy, distinct from simple upskilling. The World Economic Forum (WEF) heavily emphasizes reskilling as essential for nations to harness the Fourth Industrial Revolution and mitigate job displacement caused by AI and automation.

In manufacturing, the implication is critical: reskilling transitions workers from low-value, repetitive tasks to high-value roles in data analytics, robotics maintenance, and cyber-physical systems integration. This strategy not only addresses the pervasive industrial skill gap but also converts institutional knowledge into a key asset, directly supporting long-term operational sustainability and resilience.