A positioning paper by the International Federation of Robotics providers, companies need to step up investment in human capital, not only to close the skills gap, but also to drive innovation and productivity. 5. CONCLUSION There is clear evidence that humans will remain central to effective automation strategies that are key to improving productivity and economic growth. As in the past, this wave of technological change will alter job profiles, requiring some workers to up- or re-skill either within their existing industry, or through a move to another sector. In the industries we have profiled in this paper, robot adoption can lead to more fulfilling, better-paid jobs – but it is down to the company to design cyber-physical-human-systems that give humans the autonomy central to job satisfaction. The current problem is not disappearing jobs, but unfilled job openings due to lack of matching skills. Companies and educational institutes need to continue a trend of closer collaboration to ensure formal education is directed towards supplying specific skills in demand, as well as equipping workers with general analytical, communication and decision- making skills. Continuous, technology-based learning programmes are needed to ensure existing workers can continuously up-skill. An open question is who will finance these programmes. Whilst some experts see the financial burden falling to the individual, others believe it is time for companies to reverse a trend of low investment in human capital – a move that could have a positive impact on productivity and innovation. Government has an important role to play in incentivising corporate investment and providing direct funding to educational institutions. 27 Positioning Paper March 2018