[bluGill]

A lot of that experience isn't needed though - automation replaced a large part of the expertise needs. I used to work at a factory, it produces as much as it ever did (though with a lot of modern innovations), but today only about 200 people work in it, compared to over 2000 in 1950. The CNC laser cutters replaced 70 people running saws with just 3.

[vv_]

This isn't uniformly true in all industries or throughout all manufacturing. Not to mention that you need qualified people to operate and maintain these machines and the machines themselves.