2019 Conference Welcome Note
Ask anyone about employing engineers in the UK, and you may get the same answer. Engineers are hard to find in this country. For our sector in particular, we find ourselves competing with wealthy blue-chip companies, who can lure the cream of the crop with persuasive employee packages, and gleaming workshop floors!
I believe AEMT members have a string to their bow that these companies are missing.
A study of the UK population found that almost half the workforce now wants to work for an organisation that has a positive impact on the world, and that desire is growing strongly. In just 5 years 75% of the workforce will be Millennials, and the apprentices you are already recruiting are from Generation Z. Essentially, the workforce will, on the whole, be those born after 1980. It’s very evident from the news that these generations care a great deal about sustainability and the future world they stand to inherit.
If your service centre already works with customers to increase the efficiency of their drive systems; or if you repair machines to the AEMT’s codes of practise or to the new repair standard, rather than replacing it like for like with a new one, then you are making a positive impact on the world.
When you recruit, is this message loud and clear in your job description and interview process? Do your apprentices truly understand the effect their work has for the public, the environment and their future? Do your customers know that if they actively manage and plan for climate change they could secure an 18% higher return on investment than companies that don’t? (According to a study of American S&P 500 companies.)
So, what will help us manage and plan for a sustainable future? The answer is digital technologies.
These generations have grown up with the internet, mobile phones and computers. They know the technology intimately and understand how it can benefit our future. They are interested in companies who embrace this technology.
Born after 1996, Generation Z are described as independent, ambitious, and self-learning. They are resourceful and used to finding answers to most of their questions online. As an association we are looking at how we can take advantage of this with online training tools to make remote learning possible.
For service centres, apprentices will want access to tablets or laptops for educational purposes and for managing their jobs. Updating your systems and process, such as installing an enterprise resource planner, or by using affordable web apps such as Hubspot or Salesforce will show that you are a forward-looking company.
Most importantly, diversifying into digital areas where traditional rewind shops haven’t usually been could be important for the prosperity of all service centres.
For photos of the conference please visit: https://www.aemtconference.com/2019-photos
For conference presentations, please use the password ‘aemtconf’ at: https://www.aemtconference.com/presentations-2019