GENERAL NEWS
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decreased by 17 per cent in the same period . This is attributable not only to the pandemic , but also to the transformation process which automotive customers are undergoing .
Better training and development
In a survey , 31 per cent of machine-tool manufacturers reported a new and serious challenge that is becoming increasingly acute . For a further 50 per cent , it is a problem with which they are already contending . This is the severe shortage of skilled workers .
“ The shortage of skilled workers is likely to remain an ongoing issue because of its structural cause in the form of demographic change in Germany . The figures for the engineering sector as a whole confirm how precarious the situation is ……” said VDW Chairman Bernhard .
The number of job openings in engineering is rising much faster relative to the overall increase in personnel : 20 versus 1.3 per cent . Just over half of all engineering companies are planning to take on new staff . However , according to calculations by the German Economic Institute , the supply of skilled workers in STEM fields will at best only cover half of the industry ’ s needs in the coming years .
The German Federal Employment Agency reports major shortages in the following occupational groups at present : mechatronics technicians ; automation technology ; metal cutting ; mechanical and industrial engineering ; and electrical engineering . In the 2021 / 2022 training year , more than 11,000 of the 97,000 training places offered in engineering-related occupations remained unfilled .
“ Education experts are advising companies to boost their training programmes , to retain existing skilled workers for longer and to provide them with the best possible further training . The Youth Education and Development Foundation for Mechanical Engineering has been working for many years in the engineering sector to provide professional technical training so that companies can choose from a strong pool of applicants whose qualifications meet their specific requirements ,” commented the VDW .
“ In the future , the Youth Education and Development Foundation for Mechanical Engineering plans to work more closely with training partners to prepare appropriate learning content in highly complex technologies and tailor it to the needs of the respective target groups . The Foundation ’ s own MLS ( Mobile Learning in Smart Factories ) learning platform is also being upgraded for this purpose . An integrated authoring tool based on the ‘ complete activity ’ educational principle enables users to create their own learning content and is already supporting digital training in all professional fields ,” it added .
MLS currently has 22 interfaces to content partners and training management tools . This supports digital training in the metalworking occupations and , in the future , also in the electrical and automotive fields through external content partners . Expansion of the programme to include commercial occupations is also in preparation .
“ The impetus for this came from the customer base . Company trainers are keen to use a single platform for all their different apprenticeships ,” reported Bernhard from the VDW . The platform is also increasingly being used for further training , he said .
“ It requires long-term commitment to tackle demographic change on a lasting basis . Further training must be accompanied by creative recruitment solutions to make the engineering professions more attractive for young people . It ’ s up to all of us ,” concluded Bernhard . n
Massimo Carboniero , CEO / Co-Owner , OMERA .
OMERA acquires GIGANT ITALIA
OMERA is continuing its drive for growth by announcing the acquisition of the brand , as well as the movable and intangible assets , of GIGANT . This historic Italian company specialises in the design and production of hydraulic presses for cold and hot forging . The OMERA brand is internationally recognised for the design and production of trimming / beading machines , energysaving mechanical and hydraulic presses and automatic lines for turnkey production processes .
With this purchase , Vicenza-based OMERA , which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary and recorded turnover of 24 million euros in 2022 , strengthens its significant presence as , what it terms , “ a technological hub in sheetmetal forming machine tools ”.
“ With this acquisition ,” explained Massimo Carboniero , CEO and co-owner of OMERA , “ we have launched a strong sign of vitality with consequent growth prospects as well as achieving greater market penetration by increasing our customer base in Italy and overseas .
“ We already have an order portfolio that covers almost the entire year and there will be further operations in the near future . OMERA will therefore continue to grow thanks also to its technological [ expertise ], the quality of its products and its worldwide after-sales service ,” he continued . n
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