NEWS NEW REPORT REVEALS HUGE OPPORTUNITIES FROM INDUSTRY 4.0 TECHNOLOGY T
he creation of more data and the use of Industry 4.0 technologies are providing huge opportunities for manufacturers to improve productivity and profitability - but according to a report by law firm Irwin Mitchell, many in the sector are risking huge fines and disruption because they’re unaware of their full legal implications.
The new ‘Go Fourth’ study, which is published today, aims to raise understanding about industry 4.0 technologies and help manufacturing companies who are navigating the new data-driven business world understand the legal issues involved.
It highlights the different ways that industry 4.0 technologies are being used and says that machines in factories including presses, laser jet cutters, 3D printers, robots, material conveyors and condition sensors are increasingly being connected and sharing their data with enterprise systems. Software is being developed to interpret and utilise this data, and the Irwin Mitchell report explains that companies have never had so much accurate information about their operations and have the opportunity to be more productive, efficient, flexible, agile and profitable. The report however calls on companies to understand how collecting and having access to more data can increase the risk of breaking the law. Pooling the experience of a group of in-house experts, specialist lawyers and business leaders from organisations including like Siemens and Thales, the report covers a wide range of areas including employment law, personal data protection including GDPR, cyber security and intellectual property. Dorrien Peters, a partner at Irwin Mitchell and head of its national manufacturing group, said: “According to US tech company, DOMO, over 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created every single day.”
Peters adds: “The aim of this report is to highlight the opportunities and debunk the myths about the shift to ‘Industry 4.0’ by clarifying what it means from the level of data use and data exposure.”
Another of the areas that the report looks at is the increasing use of technology to monitor staff and measure productivity. It warns that if this is done without their knowledge and used to give the employer an advantage, it is a breach of the GDPR. The report warns that employers can face huge fines, and must be rigorous in their transparency to avoid this.
Highlighting the increased risk facing manufacturers when it comes to sensitive data and dealing with cyber security threats, the report raises concerns for the sector about the rising trend of cyber-attacks on Industrial Control Systems.
It examines this issue in depth and provides a three-step process so that manufacturers can improve their cyber security, including the need to appoint someone with the sole responsibility for cyber security. The full report is available here:
https://bit.ly/2K1M7PL
FTA questions impact of Government’s future immigration policy on logistics
F
TA has responded to the government’s call for evidence regarding the salary threshold for a future immigration policy. Unemployment is at its lowest on record, and with logistics currently reliant on EEA workers to help support vital occupations such as LGV/van drivers, as well as warehouse workers, it is crucial that businesses can continue to access non-UK workers, particularly when UK workers are not available to take up the vacancies.
Sally Gilson, head of skills policy at FTA expresses her concerns: “The government is focused on the £30,000 salary threshold for the employment of non-UK workers after Brexit and how this could impact businesses. However, this ignores a greater hurdle for the logistics sector, which relies on EU workers to move the goods and services which UK PLC requires to operate. Even if the salary threshold recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee was to be reduced, businesses still would not be able to recruit non-UK workers within the proposed future immigration system as they may not meet the required Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) Level 3 threshold. “Although being an LGV driver takes skill and requires significant knowledge regarding the regulations and legal requirements, officially this is a Level 2 qualification. Therefore, under government plans, whether a driver earns the salary threshold or not, they still will not be considered. “Our fear is that, with the emphasis in the media and government on the salary threshold, businesses are missing the two-part nature of the employment criteria requirement. The UK is already in competition with other EU countries who have even worse LGV driver and other logistics career shortages than we do.
“FTA’s members believe that the arbitrary salary and qualification standards should be scrapped, and further consideration should be given to an alternative scheme which utilises unused Apprenticeship Levy funding to create the training programmes needed to generate the workforce of tomorrow. But these new employees will take time to train, and enforcement of the new rules as early as 2021 leaves logistics businesses with little time or guidance on how to recruit. Where is the industry supposed to find the ready-qualified people to do the jobs which will be left undone by the departure of EU workers from the UK.”
LOGISTICS PROFESSIONALS SEEK TRAINING AS BREXIT INCREASES DEMAND FOR EXPERTISE
T
he majority of logistics professionals aren’t offered opportunities for training and development within their current organisation, despite the fact that Brexit is driving fresh demand for specialist skills. That is according to research from specialist recruitment consultancy, WR Logistics. The survey of 8,784 employees including freight forwarders, transport planners and customs coordinators, found that only one in three (34 per cent) respondents believe there are opportunities to learn and grow with their current employer. In addition, just 41 per cent say they receive sufficient training to do a good job.
Despite these gripes, 81 per cent of those polled said they are proud to work in the industry, with 87 per cent agreeing that work is an important part of their life.
The findings come at a time when demand for customs experts is booming as businesses seek to ensure compliance post-Brexit. Commenting on the findings, Lewis Richards, director of WR Logistics, said: “The employers we work with are currently crying out for professionals with a well-rounded knowledge of customs tariffs and systems, with some looking to mitigate against potential risk post- Brexit, and others taking advantage of widespread uncertainty to grow their businesses. Meanwhile, the existing workforce is demonstrating a distinct appetite for training opportunities and professional advancement. “Our research suggests there is a clear opportunity here for transport and logistics companies to upskill existing employees to meet future business needs. While a proven track record with customs and compliance is top of the wish list for many businesses in the sector, the most strategic companies are sharing knowledge and developing skills internally. In doing so, they are not only helping to bridge talent gaps, but also ensuring that loyal employees are offered the chance to excel professionally.”
FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS | NOVEMBER 2019
5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58
