EPP Europe P2.2023

» PCB & ASSEMBLY
Transforming labour shortages into business advantages
Addressing labour challenges
in electronics manufacturing
In 2014, a study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group predicted that many countries
would experience labour shortages in the 2020s and “a massive shortfall” by 2030. This
is proving correct. In an age of supply chain disruptions and generational workforce
evolution, manufacturers are struggling to find qualified employees. Increasing digitalization
may be the key to finding and retaining talent.
» Oren Manor and Markus Sauter, Siemens Digital Industries Software
Staffing and resource constraints
According to Ranstad, an aging global population is a
significant factor in the current labour shortage. By
2030, 16 percent of the world population will be 65 and
over, and, by 2050, this proportion will have doubled.
Finding skilled replacements is an urgent matter.
Manufacturing today’s complex products demands
a higher level of skilled workers. Adaptability and
flexibility are increasingly important as shorter lead
times create the need for more versatile workers who
can perform multiple functions.
The convergence of
various major global
trends is increasing the
complexity of electronics
manufacturing
and impacting the
workforce
Even before Covid-19, staffing was a challenge.
Then, with the arrival of the great resignation,
the challenge became even more acute. Today, the
convergence of various global events and industry
trends is increasing the complexity of electronics
manufacturing, and this is having a knock-on effect
on recruitment. Understanding how each factor impacts
the workforce is vital to finding effective solutions
to labour shortages, so here’s a short overview.
Supply and component shortages
Global events such as the pandemic, the Russian
war with Ukraine, international trade tensions, global
shipping bottlenecks and surges in demand for
materials all contribute to supply chain volatility.
This impacts every sector from metals to chemicals,
including, of course, manufactured components, as
well as semiconductors and related devices. This
level of unpredictability directly affects manufacturing
workflows.
Source: Siemens
Sustainability
The desire to create a more sustainable work environment
that lowers ecological impact, reduces
energy usage, reduces waste and improves operational
excellence is transforming the workplace into
a healthier space for employees.
Fortunately, solutions to these issues are beginning
to emerge. According to Ranstad’s 2022 study, “Why
is there a global labor shortage?”, it is vital that employers
understand the candidate-driven employment
market, and the factors valued most-highly by
workers. These are competitive salaries (58 %), job
security (56 %) and work environment (55 %). The
biggest opportunity for employers to attract skilled
workers is to address the working environment. And
digitalization could be the key to success in this area.
Finding and retaining talent
If you want to land talented individuals in today’s
competitive hiring environment, it is essential to
think outside the box. Increased digitalization can
help upgrade production environments and elevate
worker experience, paving the way for new recruitment
opportunities.
Digitalization can help make the working environment
a more enjoyable place for younger workers.
30 EPP Europe » 11 | 2023