How Technology Can Empower Frontline Workers

In a recent episode of Workforce 4.0 with Ann Wyatt, Carlos Del Pozo, Co-founder of Team Engine, and Ann discussed how technology (now and in the future) can best serve frontline workers and their employers. As a small business owner and military veteran, Carlos brings a distinctive viewpoint to the unique challenges facing blue-collar industries like manufacturing. Here’s a peek at some of the ideas they explored.

The Changing Nature of Labor Markets

Carlos shared that he’s observed a fundamental shift in how industries like manufacturing approach labor. Historically, businesses could rely on the availability of workers to meet demand. But today, that assumption no longer holds true.

“The world we live in now,” Carlos explained, “requires businesses to decide if they will view labor as just an input or adopt a people-first approach.”

Carlos predicts that companies focusing on treating employees as assets, rather than expendable resources, will thrive. He dismissed the oft-repeated claim that “people don’t want to work,” instead attributing hiring challenges to a breakdown in trust between employers and workers.

“On both sides, people have been burned,” he said. “Employers feel frustrated by no-shows and quick turnovers, while employees leave because they don’t feel appreciated. To fix this, both need to focus on being part of the solution.”

This people-first mindset, Carlos argued, is essential for rebuilding trust and achieving better hiring outcomes.

Recruiting as Sales and Marketing

Carlos also highlighted a disconnect in how recruiting is treated, compared to other critical business functions like sales. He likened recruiting to sales and marketing, pointing out that many companies fail to apply the same urgency and best practices to hiring.

“If you wait three days to call a great candidate, they’ve probably already found another job,” he said.

The issue stems, in part, from a lack of training or experience for HR professionals tasked with recruiting, whose formal education may have focused more on compliance and conflict resolution rather than the proactive strategies required for effective recruitment. In the podcast, Carlos emphasized the value of automation in closing this gap, helping HR teams handle repetitive tasks so they can focus on high-impact activities.

Bridging the Technology Gap for Frontline Workers

One of the most pressing challenges Carlos addressed was the uneven impact of technology on frontline workers. While companies have made significant strides in digital transformation, much of the benefit has been confined to office environments.

“For frontline workers, adoption of technology is still a major hurdle,” Carlos explained.

Factors like limited access to devices, inconsistent data plans, and the complexity of modern software make it difficult for frontline employees to use the tools intended to help them. Carlos envisions a future where AI eliminates these barriers by reducing reliance on traditional user interfaces.

“The biggest obstacle is our dependence on interfaces,” he said. “AI has the potential to let people interact with technology more naturally—by speaking commands instead of navigating through multiple apps.”

This shift, Carlos believes, could revolutionize how frontline workers engage with technology, making it more intuitive and accessible.

Listen to the full conversation between Ann & Carlos: