Siemens steps up industrial network training to plug skills gap
Siemens is set to offer upskilling and retraining programmes to combat the skills shortage forming due to increased digitalisation by offering courses in helping modernise and maintain network infrastructure and helping them become 5G ready.
Reliable and secure industrial networks are an essential cornerstone of industrial digitalisation and essential allowing for easy collaboration between machines, data and people, which could significantly boost output and productivity in the workforce as well as lead to increased access to information and collaboration.
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The manufacturing sector has been hit particularly hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and a number of outlets across Europe began to increase digitalisation and automation efforts in order to continue at an acceptable capacity while having to maintain furloughs and social distancing.
Digitalisation can include a number of things, from integrating robotics to increased networking and supply chain automation.
Increasing efforts into digitalisation is essential for achieving the digital transformation and is a key component of Industry 4.0 and free data access is a major part of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
A number of manufacturers are currently investing in ensuring their networks are upgraded and secure, be it through WiFi, LAN or enterprise.
An "Industrial network" refers to any interconnected system within a business which allows for rapid transfer of data on a large scale.
It is effectively a highly efficient and advanced IT network.
The advent of 5G has allowed for the transfer of data at significantly increased speeds and across longer distances.
However, there is currently a skills shortage for many of these fields, which has prompted employers such as Siemens to offer upskilling programmes or retraining courses.
Upskilling is the process by which employees are taught new skills to adapt to changing markets or industry trends.
Upskilling is vital in alleviating a number of collateral issues associated with increased automation and digitalisation, such as job losses attributed to replacing workers with robots on the assembly line.
Retraining employees can prove effective in minimising job losses and also providing new employment and skills opportunities for employers.
According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) the UK is currently suffering a major skills shortage.
The research firm has said the situation is reflective of the current tightness of the labour market where around two-thirds of employers who have vacancies report that at least some of these spots are proving hard to fill.
CIPD data shows around 38% of employers reported being unable to fill a permanent vacancy in 2018, in roles such as healthcare, engineering, teaching and IT.
It also found that 24% of respondents have increased investment in skills since 2017 in order to address harder-to-fill vacancies, while 19% have increased apprenticeship opportunities - rising to 29% in the public sector.
A separate study conducted by the CIPD shows that a decrease in migrant workers could also leave a skills void owing to the end of free movement, further highlighting the necessity of upskilling programmes.
The EU are also concerned about a skills shortage, and a panel was dedicated to it on the third day of the EU Industry Days event, held last week.
Read more: #EUIndustryDays Day Three live blog
Siemens' new programme will offer multi-level courses that cover a number of skill levels from beginner to advanced in training for industrial networks.
The training ranging from teaching the fundamentals of interconnected industrial networks - which the energy company reports are particularly popular with young jobseekers - to more practical courses designed to learn essential skills for managing industrial networks and offer technical solutions to problems they may face.
Ian Poulett, the business manager for Industrial Communications at Siemens said now is the time for companies and individuals to invest in upskilling as technologies and their applications are only getting more complex.
He added: “The future of industry lies in digitalisation. To achieve this, it is crucial for manufacturers to invest in powerful industrial networks. Equally important to run these infrastructures is the knowledge of how to plan and implement these networks and connect them to a corporate network.”
Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the courses will have a cap of six people owing to the strict guidelines in place for minimising the virus.
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Neil Yates, the sales specialist for Industrial Communications and Project Lead for the training programme, said: “The candidates who have signed up for these courses come from various backgrounds. Some are fresh graduates and want to add to their skills set, whilst others have many years of industrial experience but need to upgrade their skills bringing them up to date with new technologies.”
Poulett concluded: “Training helps our solution partners, system integrators and companies to build in-house competencies to manage and modernise their own networks – reducing the need for consultancy.
"By having an accredited network professional, it increases the chances of a successful ‘first right time’ project because they understand the planning process.”
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