“Trades are disappearing and employees are being redeployed. We also have needs for emerging functions”, underlined an EDF HR executive in April to reflect the evolution of trades in the industry.
Mercedes-Benz provides further testimony to this. Each professional profile in the company evolves, recalls the German. Two explanations for this: digitization and the increasing use of powerful artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
Mercedes-Benz is gaining momentum
The car manufacturer has set up a training program to support this internal transformation of skills: Turn2Learn. The initiative has a budget of 2 billion euros until 2030.
And in this context, Mercedes notably trains Data and AI specialists. Via the D.SHIFT and Data Worker pilot programs, the manufacturer announces that it will train more than 600 employees from production and administration in these areas.
“The first graduates will receive their certificates in the coming days. Due to strong employee interest in this area, Mercedes-Benz is expanding these programs,” the manufacturer said.
Train rather than recruit
French manufacturers are not to be outdone in this sector, as EDF in particular illustrated. Of course, the Eramet mining group trains its experts, but also supports the skills development of other business profiles.
Training courses for engineers, geologists or metallurgists have been created. However, these courses are complex to deploy since they are long-term. Accessing the qualification of Data Analyst or Data Scientist requires 9 months at the rate of one day per week.
Data & Software Academy at Stellantis
“The most complex thing was allocating the time needed for training. And this is not due to the profile of the employees, but to the management’s ability to effectively allow them to carry out the training”, confided a few months earlier a manager. ‘Eramet.
In the automotive industry, like Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis has structured its training approach through the creation in 2022 of a Data & Software Academy. This entity aims to train skills to support the digital transformation of industry and the development of Data skills in its various businesses.
“A lot of us start with awareness (awareness) or PowerBI. It is necessary to move forward step by step […] Last year, we trained 600 data citizens. We are aiming for 1,000 in 2023. On upskilling and reskilling, the target is 100 to 150,” said Anne Fenninger, head of the Academy.