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Skills
Supply and demand
So , just how serious is the skills gap facing the industry , why has it occurred , what specific job roles are paper operators struggling to fill , and what action is required to overcome these challenges ?
A recent global report from PwC found that ‘ The Great Resignation ’ is continuing , with one in four workers looking for new jobs and pay increases amid the cost-of-living crisis . At ABB , we have also observed that the average time it takes to fill a position has doubled with respect to pre-pandemic levels .
Correcting this mismatch between demand and supply means changing the narrative when it comes to recruitment . By this we mean challenging the perception that paper is a risk-averse sector with minimal room for technological innovation and creative thinking ; or that all roles close to mill operations require physical presence on site . In reality , major innovation is ongoing across the industry , and digitalization is providing opportunities to remotely locate many key roles .
ABB is committed to creating teams that have achieved a critical mass of certain knowledge , instead of having people who are spread out and isolated , so we can guarantee support to our customer base 24 / 7 , ensure knowledge transfer from experienced personnel to new starters and foster a sense of belonging within the team .
Invest in human capital
Upskilling is ( or should be ) another priority for HR professionals , one that necessitates investment in training and education to help employees develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed .
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