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