By Gilles Pacaud, General Manager, Rockwell Automation France
The most important asset of any company is its people. Employees are the heart and soul of a company, and this remains just as true in the age of digitalization. But as the industry evolves, companies must adapt to cope with the enormous pressures on its most precious resources:
Qualified employees are hard to find. It's a well-known fact that most industrial companies have had problems recruiting the talent they need. The problem is becoming increasingly acute as the global economy grows and experienced engineers retire.
Job functions are changing. The underlying nature of industrial skills - that desire and ability to solve problems - remains the same; but it is evolving towards decision-making based on technology and data, rather than trial and error, instinct and experience.
Employees are changing. The millennial generation has joined the workforce, and the so-called "Z" generation is following suit. In the workplace, we are in the age of the "digital children", those who have grown up with the technology of connected devices and expect any technological advance to simplify life. It seems clear that this generation perceives the function of the job held in the overall balance of their lives differently. Millenials are not driven by the same forces as previous generations. The question is: can industrial companies adapt sufficiently to attract this talent?
Here are my top recommendations for dealing with the three major pressures on the workforce and becoming an employer of choice in the age of the digital industry:
- Fill the skills gap through training, in particular by drawing on the expertise of our most experienced employees;
- A modern environment and tools are essential to attract the best talent and the iGeneration. What's more, your plant needs simple, intuitive technology. So think in terms of open systems, virtual reality and consumer technology integration;
- To be truly ethical and supportive. An approach that benefits all employees;
- Understanding the generation's motivations Millenials(it may not be a question of money). This short report by ManPower Group offers some food for thought and can break down some stereotypes;
- Encouraging employee development. Bringing talent into the company is the first step, but retaining it and giving it the means to develop requires a real commitment to encouraging employees to develop within the company.
Some of the most sought-after employers, such as Google and SAS, are adopting a more horizontal approach to hierarchy and a flexible, collaborative attitude to employment. Remember, when it comes to the skills required in the IIoT era, these are the very companies competing for the talent you need!
Learn more: https://www.rockwellautomation.com/