Engineering-Driven Workforce Readiness for Industry 4.0: Key Influencing Factors in Sri Lanka’s Industrial and Service Sectors

This study explores the key factors influencing workforce readiness for Industry 4.0 technologies in Sri Lanka’s manufacturing, IT, telecommunications, and services sectors. A quantitative survey of 150 professional primarily engineers, was conducted to assess variables such asorganizational contribution, government involvement, education and training programs, human resource development, and skills gap. The findings reveal that strategic leadership, supportive government policies, and tailored educational initiatives significantly improve workforce preparedness, while persistent skills gap poses a critical challenge. Notably, younger employees exhibit higher adaptability to technological change, underscoring the importance of generational factors in readiness. The study highlights the central role of collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and educational institutions in fostering a digitally capable workforce. It recommends strengthening technical and vocational education, enhancing employee engagement, and implementing inclusive policies to support women and differently - abled individuals. A key implication of the research is the need for sector - specific and inclusive strategies, especially in under - researched industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and finance. Additionally, the study calls for longitudinal research to evaluate the long - term impact of interventions and evolving readiness levels. These insights are vital for developing countries aiming to achieve sustainable digital transformation through effective workforce development.