SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT UNDER AUTOMATION – active adaptation at the local level

Odd Bjørn Ure, Tom Skauge: SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT UNDER AUTOMATION – active adaptation at the local level. International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training, Vol 6 No 3 (2019).

The authors describe how patterns of employment and qualifications are modified by the ongoing industrial transformation, called Industry 4.0. This is done by analysing technological renewal by means of Computerised Numeric Control (CNC) and robotics in a Norwegian network of mechanical firms. The article identified certain room for strategic choices when new technology is integrated in work organisations by means of (re-)training of workers. This implies that corporate self-interest is weighted with the common interests within a local community and inside a Manufacturing Industry Association, – to the extent that the firm’s profitability is not at stake. The fact that training to avoid lay-offs is normally subsidised by the Public Employment Services facilitates this pattern.
https://journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de/hup2/ijrvet/article/view/375