Artificial intelligence (AI) is already writing texts, analysing data and gradually taking over some tasks in certain fields that were previously performed by people. It is therefore natural that more young people are asking themselves which professions will still be needed in ten years’ time – and which ones may be replaced by technology. However, Gediminas Puodžiūnas, Head of Engineering Development at MV GROUP Production, says that representatives of at least one field can feel confident about their future.

“If I were finishing school today, I would choose engineering studies without hesitation. Artificial intelligence can already replace a smaller or larger share of functions in finance, IT, law and other fields. But manufacturing is based on real physical processes – equipment, systems and infrastructure. Someone will still have to maintain all of this, understand it, solve problems and ensure that production does not stop and operates as efficiently as possible. Technology can help analyse data faster or automate certain tasks, but it will not replace a person who understands the entire process. That is why the need for good engineers is not going anywhere – on the contrary, it will only grow,” says Puodžiūnas.

People will not disappear – their role will change

When people talk about the factories of the future, they often imagine fully robotised spaces. According to Puodžiūnas, change will be much more gradual. He says that in ten years’ time, beverage production will involve more automated processes, more advanced data management and more efficient energy use, but we should not expect a technological breakthrough that changes the very essence of production.

“The biggest change will not take place in the physical processes themselves, but in how they are managed. The level of automation will certainly increase, there will be more data analysis, more automated solutions, more efficient energy use and more efficient production processes. But this does not mean that people will no longer be needed in manufacturing. Their competences and responsibilities will simply change,” he says.

According to the expert, artificial intelligence is already being used in certain areas of beverage production, such as quality control. This includes image recognition systems that help automatically detect inconsistencies on production lines.

“It makes sense to automate such processes, because it is difficult for a person to watch the same process for hours on end. But production itself does not disappear because of that – it still needs people who understand the entire system and are able to make decisions,” says Puodžiūnas.

The modern engineer is no longer simply a person with a wrench

One of the biggest stereotypes about engineering and the manufacturing sector is the idea that it is monotonous technical work focused only on maintaining equipment. In reality, however, the boundaries of this profession are now much broader.

“Today, an engineer is no longer just someone who goes to repair or adjust something. They analyse data, assess risks, plan development, look for more efficient solutions and make sure that production runs smoothly. Very often, they are also involved in the development of the company itself – working together with management and production teams to decide how to expand capacity, what technological solutions will be needed, and how much time, resources or investment will be required to implement them. Today’s engineer must understand not only their specific field, but also the technological processes themselves, because without that it is simply impossible to do this job properly. It is a very broad profession that requires not only technical knowledge, but also critical thinking and creativity,” he says.

According to Puodžiūnas, one of the most important qualities of a modern engineer is the ability to solve problems creatively.

“It is very easy to get used to the idea that something cannot be done because ‘this is how it has always been’. But practice shows that, in most cases, there are no impossible things – the question is whether the solution is rational and whether it pays off under specific conditions. That is why it is very important not to be afraid to look for new ways forward and to see the bigger picture,” says Puodžiūnas.

There is already a shortage of specialists – companies are finding ways to grow them

Vaiva Vaidelė, Head of HR at MV GROUP Production, says that the shortage of engineering specialists in the labour market has long been one of the most prominent challenges in the sector.

“Over the past decade, we have clearly seen that demand for engineering specialists has been growing steadily. And the situation is becoming more difficult. There is a shortage of people across a wide range of fields – from mechanics, automation and electrical engineering specialists to energy engineers, technologists and quality assurance experts,” says Vaidelė.

For this reason, she notes, companies today can no longer simply wait for specialists to enter the labour market on their own – they are actively working with students and young people while they are still studying.

“I remember a time when, as a student, we had to look for internship placements ourselves. Now the situation is completely different – employers compete with one another, offer internships and try to attract the best students, hoping that they will later stay and continue building their careers within the organisation. A wide range of measures are used for this purpose – scholarships, professional mentors and the creation of practical learning environments. For young people, it is very important not only to complete an internship, but also to genuinely understand whether they like the field of engineering and whether they see themselves in it in the future. That is why we are also trying to create an environment where they can experience this profession in practice,” she says.

Each year, between 20 and 40 students complete internships at MV GROUP Production plants in Alytus, Anykščiai, Kaunas and Šiauliai. The company takes part in career days at universities and vocational schools, its representatives give lectures and advise lecturers, organise visits to the Alita, Anykščių vynas, Stumbras and Gubernija factories for school pupils and students, and invite them to take a closer look at production processes.

According to Vaidelė, young specialists today are increasingly looking not only for a stable job, but also for an environment where they can continue growing alongside technical and technological change.

“In modern manufacturing, there is practically never a moment when you can say: that’s it, we have reached the final point. Modernisation is constant, new technological solutions are emerging, and people who are not afraid of change – and who want to grow by initiating and implementing it themselves – are highly valued. Today, a career in manufacturing is no longer only vertical. Specialists expand their competences horizontally, learn different processes and combine several fields. Seeing this need, we try to remain flexible: we help combine studies with work, provide more learning opportunities and, in some cases, also offer financial support. We do not only want to find a specialist – we want to help them grow,” says Vaidelė.