BUSINESS
to preserve their competitiveness, the
explanation may be that economical
effectiveness is difficult to predict due to
low level of technologies and applications
actually used so far.
What effect will Industry 4.0 have on
employees?
In the long-term view the effect should not
be negative. Think of the introduction of IT
and industrial robotics in the so-called 3rd
Industrial Revolution, which, on one hand,
made a range of jobs redundant, but on
the other hand one cancelled position was
soon replaced by two and a half new jobs.
The first stage will undoubtedly gradually
reduce certain low-qualification jobs, first
in administration and office jobs, then
low qualification production professions.
However, this trend has been around for
some time already, such as in insurance
services, (nowadays the most often
researched and purchased online) where the
number of jobs has considerably decreased.
We should expect a short-term increase of
unemployment. How to prevent its serious
impact?
The greatest benefit of Industry 4.0 is
of course not in the elimination of great
numbers of jobs but in the connection
and close collaboration of employees and
new technologies. Businesses will still need
their employees, however, their roles will
transform. It is therefore vital to prevent a drop
in unemployment. The sooner our system of
education, employers, and employees react
to this transformation, the smaller the impact
on employment will be. Moreover, new
economics will bring more jobs and greater
employment in new spheres.
It is highly probable that some employees will
find it difficult to adapt to the changes, and
the system of education will undoubtedly
take time to react too. That is why some
European countries are testing the regimen
of guaranteed pay which will help people
cover their living costs while looking for
a proper new job. Yet good pay is not enough
to live a happy life: people need a meaningful
aim, aprogramme, so guaranteed pay is only
a temporary solution.
Is the region ready to support solving
difficulties related to Industry 4.0?
The regional innovation strategy and the top
priority of the regional government is to create
is a high-quality innovation ecosystem. The
Moravian-Silesian Innovation Centre Ostrava
is involved in creating the centre of industrial
competences providing businesses with
information on principles and tools which
Industry 4.0 is based upon, but also (in the
experimental operations) demonstrating
real examples of how they work, and
advising and helping in the preparation and
implementation of projects. The Regional
and City Governments of Ostrava, local
universities and key companies of the region
participate in development and improvement
of this ecosystem.
More measures are taken in schools
rearranging their syllabi and programmes
of study, building specialized and practical
classrooms which will effectively prepare
students for their functions in the new
economics.
As for employee support, we can help
them prepare in requalification trainings
in professions which future employers will
require. We expect that some of them might
not intend to work as employees any more,
and those with an interesting idea and strong
will to start their own business may join our
programme to support starting entrepreneurs.
Foto a text:
Moravskoslezský kraj
22 ǀ POSITIV 3/2018