What is Industry 4.0?

You've probably heard of the Industrial Revolution of the 1700–1800s. But unless you're a history buff (or you read a lot of books about industrial innovation), you might not know that there have been multiple industrial revolutions.

Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth industrial revolution (sometimes known as 4IR). And, whether or not you've heard of Industry 4.0, you've certainly felt the effects of it by now:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Smart assistants (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant) help you manage daily tasks

• Chatbots provide customer service and internal support

Internet of Things (IoT)

• Connected devices (Watches, Phones, Tablets) give you a seamless experience across devices

• Sensors on machines enable you to track usage and wear

Cloud Computing

• Streaming services enable you to watch content without downloading it first

• Remote work platforms (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack) enable you to collaborate from anywhere in real-time

Big Data & Predictive Analytics

• Personalized shopping recommendations suggest items right when you need them

• Operational dashboards can visualize real-time performance

Feeling Overwhelmed? You're Not Alone

If you're already using cutting-edge technology at your site(s), you may feel overwhelmed by the speed in which everything is changing. Or maybe your site isn't even close to "smart" manufacturing yet, and the idea of catching up feels impossible.

Take heart—Trainers felt this same pressure when steam engines arrived, when electricity transformed factories, and when computers entered the workplace.

The Four Industrial Revolutions:

A Quick Journey

Each industrial revolution fundamentally changed how things were made—and how people were trained to make them.

Industry 1.0: First Industrial Revolution (1760s–1830s)

• New Technology: Steam Engines, Hydropower

• Production Impact: Hand-made goods could now be made by machines.

• Training Impact: Craftsmanship → Machine Operation

Industry 2.0: Technological Revolution (1870s–1914)

• New Technology: Telegraph Networks, Electricity

• Production Impact: Products could now be assembled at a single site via production assembly lines.

• Training Impact: Apprenticeships → OJT

Industry 3.0: Digital Revolution (1950s–2000s)

• New Technology: Transistors, Home Computers, Internet

• Production Impact: Machines could now be controlled digitally.

• Training Impact: Mechanical Skills → Mechanical AND Digital Skills

Industry 4.0: Fourth Industrial Revolution (Today)

• New Technology: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT)

• Production Impact: Machines can now learn, communicate with each other, and adapt production in real-time.

• Training Impact: Static Skills → Continuous Learning & Adaptation

What This Means for Manufacturing Trainers

If you're feeling the pressure to catch up or keep up, remember that it isn't just you.

The timeline above shows that trainers across history have had to adapt to new technologies with each industrial revolution.

Recognizing that you're part of a historical pattern doesn't make your challenges less real—but it does mean you don't have to overcome them alone. History has proven that people can successfully navigate industrial revolutions through proper training and peer support.

Training 4.0: Your Support Network

The Training 4.0 community was developed by manufacturing trainers (just like you!) to help each other grow, stay inspired, and navigate the challenges of Industry 4.0 together.

What the community offers:

• Support

  This is a place to share frustrations, celebrate wins, and show solidarity.

  
  

• Skill Development

  We're here to help each other identify blind-spots, identify growth opportunities, and share training methods and tools.

  
  

• Applied R&D

  You don't have to test out ideas alone. Partner with other training professionals to run cross-company experiments, solve shared problems, and accelearate industry learning and innovation.

Moving Forward Together

Every industrial revolution has required manufacturing trainers to reinvent their approach, and Industry 4.0 is no different. So take a deep breath—You're not behind. You're not failing. We're all figuring out how to adapt.

So why not take the journey together?

The Training 4.0 community is here to help you grow, stay inspired, and navigate the challenges of Industry 4.0. Together, we're elevating people as the true power behind Industry 4.0.