Changes in industrial production – competences needed on route from the Internet of Things to Industry 4.0

IT systems are gradually increasing in their level of independence as developments move on towards Industry 4.0 with the result that in future there will be major changes in the work and role of skilled workers. The advances in automation and digitalisation of the world of work, which had already begun with the development of the Internet of Things, will result in changes in work organisation, work processes and, as a consequence, in job requirements and in the interaction between people and machines. Based on results relating to the early recognition of qualifications for the Internet of Things in the area of production, the article shows the development over the last five years and the conclusions which might be drawn from this for competence developments in the age of Industry 4.0.