Plastics Industry Facing Skills Gap

Whilst the medical-device and automotive industries are attracting many graduates, other sectors are affected by a shortage of talent. This issue comes mainly from a general lack of training and apprenticeships, changes in technology and in the skills needed.

The World Economic Forum says in a press release from the 24.04.2012 that “with an estimated 10 million manufacturing jobs worldwide that cannot be filled today due to a growing skills gap; the report identifies talent as one of the key differentiators that will define the future of the sector.  Although many developed countries note a high unemployment rate, companies are finding it very difficult to source the right talent, especially qualified engineers. Executive positions are also difficult to fill and some companies have open positions for several months or even longer.  Some companies are addressing the skill gap by strengthening their training and offering apprenticeships. However, this is sporadic and many companies are still seeking out people with proven track records. Inevitably the result becomes a “war of talent”.

Listgrove’s Marketing Manager Airelle Charra says: “A skills gap in the worldwide plastics industry has been a concern for many years.  However, we see this issue as deepening particularly as companies’ are more exacting in their resourcing needs.  There is no quick fix but it is imperative that the industry builds for the future generation of talent by investing in training and offering more apprenticeships.  Listgrove is being increasingly asked to support clients across the globe with employee retention / people development strategies as well as using our specialist expertise in identifying ‘best-in’class’ talent where the skill gaps are at their most challenging.”

Listgrove has the specialist expertise to support companies in identifying the ‘Best in Class’ talent, whilst also help businesses to retain and develop their own people.  Company success depends on the quality and performance of its people and finding the best talent is essential for securing a competitive advantage.

With more than 35 years experience and an extensive network of contacts across the plastics and packaging, chemical, petrochemical and environmental sectors, Listgrove provides international recruitment and HR services to some of the world's leading manufacturers such as DSM, ITW, Sabic, Lyondell Basell, Eastman Chemicals, Honeywell, Philips, Teknor Apex, Thermofisher, Smithers Rapra and Colormatrix (Polyone). We also work very effectively with SMEs and, in many instances act as a bolt-on HR function.
 
Listgrove employs a number of experienced recruitment and HR consultants who are available to support a wide range of projects across the globe.  Should you have active recruitment needs or anticipate the need to engage with a specialist who focuses on your market, please contact Airelle Charra for more information.
Email: Airelle.charra@listgrove.co.uk
 

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