Page 30 - Regional Employment & Skills Plan

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Advancements in digital technologies have had a significant impact upon the development of the advanced manufacturing sector allowing for process automation. For this reason the connectivity of a modern manufacturing facility is viewed as essential to the operation of production facility; ‘91% of manufacturers say a high speed internet connection is as essential to business as electricity and water.’65
Net employment demand is positive for all occupations: up to 2022 there is a net demand for employment in every occupation group of AM&M in Wales – despite total numbers of employees in the sector for some occupations declining.
Professionals and Associate Professionals are in greatest demand: Around 580 professionals are required per annum up to 2022 and a further 360 associate professionals and 240 skilled trades per annum over the same period.
Drivers of Change (in order of effect on business performance)
• Competitiveness,
• High rate of technological change,
• Increasing consumer demand,
• New markets,
• Globalisation,
• Legislation and Regulation,
• Employee Age Profile,
• Environmental drivers,
• Mergers & Acquisitions.
Mid Wales
• No demand for training – staff fully proficient,
• Expense of training,
• Time issues,
• Training supply issues,
• Lack of ambition from employees.66
Skills Challenges
• ‘Skills mismatches in the sector have also been recognised, such as the ability of professionals and managers in adequately researching drivers of change in order to develop effective market strategies.’
65 What is Industry 4.0? – EFF 2015
66 http://semta.org.uk/images/pdf/LMI_Advanced_Manufacturing_Report.pdf
Regional Employment & Skills Plan South West & Mid Wales Aspirational Economy