Talent crisis: over 60% of industry can’t find skilled labour

Madrid, October 17, 2024. The 1st Study on the Situation of the Manufacturing Sector in Spain, conducted by Easyfairs, highlights the talent crisis currently affecting the industry. 60.2% of the surveyed companies identify the difficulty in finding skilled labor as their main challenge. Other key issues include the lack of digital skills (22.9%) and the absence of generational turnover in the sector (16.9%).

Easyfairs, organizer of the Advanced Manufacturing Madrid industrial innovation fair, which will take place on November 20-21 at IFEMA, analyzes in this report the main challenges facing the sector in areas such as employment, technology, and sustainability, offering a detailed overview of the current situation.

“The Spanish industrial sector is undergoing a transformation, with significant advances in automation and digitalization. New roles and professional opportunities are being created that did not exist a few years ago. However, these advances have not resolved the shortage of workers in traditional roles like operators and welders, which remain essential for the production chain. The challenge now is to make these positions attractive to younger generations, whose lack of interest could destabilize the sector,” says Oscar Barranco, General Director of Easyfairs Iberia.

The difficulty in finding qualified personnel has grown over time, with operators and welders being the hardest profiles to fill for 50.4% of companies. They are followed by maintenance technicians (41.7%), automation engineers (27.3%), and additive manufacturing specialists (12.2%).

Digital transformation and automation: moving towards Industry 4.0

The Spanish manufacturing sector is currently immersed in a process of digital transformation. 55.8% of companies already use process automation and robotics technologies, while the Internet of Things (IoT) is present in 27.3% of companies. These are followed by the growing adoption of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), which is already used by 22.9% of companies, and Big Data, adopted by 22.5%. Although less widespread, 9.1% have implemented virtual reality solutions.

Companies that have adopted automation and robotics solutions highlight increased productivity (51.1%) as the main benefit, followed by a reduction in errors (40.7%), operating costs (39.8%), and improvements in product quality (33.3%).

With increasing digitalization, cybersecurity has also become a priority. This is reflected in the fact that 64.1% of companies report having implemented measures such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to protect their systems. Other common measures include multi-factor authentication (35.9%), employee cybersecurity training (29.9%), and data encryption (29%). However, 22.1% have not implemented any specific measures in this area.

On the other hand, additive manufacturing continues to gain ground in Spanish industry, though its progress remains slow and incipient. Only 44.2% of companies use it in their processes, mainly for rapid prototyping (32%), followed by the production of final parts (19.9%) and the manufacturing of tools and components (15.2%).

Digitalization prospects for the next three years

Digitalization will be a key trend shaping companies’ roadmaps. 37.7% of companies plan to adopt new technologies in the next three years, although without a defined budget yet. In contrast, 29.9% have already allocated resources to make progress, while 22.9% express interest but have no concrete plans.

In the future, advanced automation and robotics top the list of technologies expected to be implemented (42.9%), followed by AI (31.6%) and Big Data (27.7%). Cloud computing (26%) and additive manufacturing (22.5%) are also part of companies’ technological transformation plans.

Resistance to implementing the reduction in working hours

The study reveals that more than half of industrial companies (56.7%) do not plan to reduce the working week from 40 hours to 37.5 unless it becomes mandatory. However, 26.8% are considering it, although they have not yet implemented it. Only 10.4% have already adopted the measure, while 6.1% are in the process of doing so.

When asked about the benefits they expect from this change, 60.6% highlight an improvement in employee satisfaction and well-being, followed by improved talent attraction (27.7%), increased productivity (27.3%), and reduced staff turnover (18.6%). A notable 29% believe that if implemented, there will be no significant improvements.

Regarding the main challenges associated with adopting the reduction in working hours, the most relevant difficulties include workload adjustments and delivery deadlines (60.6%). These are followed by an increase in labor costs (43.7%), difficulties in coordinating teams and shifts (34.2%), resistance from some managers (26.4%), and resistance from some employees (3%).

Impact of automation on employment: threat or opportunity?

Automation is transforming job roles. Among the immediate effects, companies report that new technical positions are being created (38.1%), and employees are being reassigned to higher value-added tasks thanks to automation (33.8%). However, 17.7% have experienced a reduction in traditional roles, and a significant 35.1% indicate that automation has not yet had a significant impact on their workforce.

According to the survey, the most in-demand profiles include industrial software developers (33.3%) and automation engineers (30.3%). Other emerging roles gaining ground are data and analytics specialists (26%) and robot maintenance technicians (18.6%).

Despite the growing diversity of new roles and their increasing demand, the industrial sector faces the challenge of attracting and retaining new talent. To reverse this situation, companies have taken steps such as strengthening collaboration with educational institutions (58.3%), improving working conditions and employee benefits (53.2%), and implementing internal training programs (48.9%).

How sustainable and efficient is our industry?

The commitment to sustainability is changing the rules of the game for industrial companies. 68.4% of companies report having implemented measures to optimize processes and reduce waste, while 50.6% already use recycled or biodegradable materials. Of the surveyed companies, 40.7% indicate they have adopted clean energy technologies in their facilities.

Additionally, 42% of companies have implemented renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, while 39.4% monitor and optimize their energy consumption. These practices are followed by the adoption of energy management systems by 34.2% of companies and high-efficiency equipment by 32%. The most common challenge to adopting these practices, cited by 65.4% of participants in the study, is the high initial cost, followed by a lack of knowledge and training for implementation (32%).

When asked about the growing need to be sustainable in the future and whether this practice will impact the manufacturing industry, 45.5% of respondents believe there will be a moderate transformation with gradual adoption of new technologies. Meanwhile, 35.1% think the transformation will be significant, driving innovations and sustainable practices. Only 9.1% believe it will negatively affect the industry by increasing operating costs, and 10.4% say the changes will be minimal, with no significant impact.

The industrial innovation meeting

Advanced Manufacturing Madrid, organized by Easyfairs, will open its doors on November 20-21 at IFEMA. This event is the meeting point for the most innovative companies and industrial leaders, where the latest trends, technologies, and solutions for the industry will be presented.

The fair will feature three major areas: MetalMadrid, Composites Madrid, and Robomática Madrid, where the best experts in the sector will gather to explore how innovation is reshaping the manufacturing industry in Spain. After breaking attendance records in its last edition with 13,400 unique visitors, Advanced Manufacturing is consolidating itself as the key event for Industry 4.0 in Spain.

Link to register for Advanced Manufacturing Madrid:
Advanced Manufacturing Madrid Registration

About Easyfairs

Easyfairs organizes events that serve as meeting points for communities looking to visit the future.

We currently organize 110 in-person events in 12 countries (Algeria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) and manage eight exhibition centers in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden (Antwerp, Ghent, Mechelen-Brussels North, Namur, Gorinchem, Hardenberg, Malmö, and Stockholm).

We are passionate about “making life easier” for our clients and increasing the return on their investment and time through our all-inclusive formulas, advanced technology, and customer-centric strategy. Our digital offerings also provide these communities with excellent opportunities to effectively network and do business year-round.

The Easyfairs Group employs over 800 highly committed talents, implements the best marketing and technology tools, and develops brands with strong appeal for our stakeholders.

For the sixth consecutive year in 2024, Deloitte once again awarded Easyfairs the status of “Best Managed Company.”

We are proud to rank as the 11th largest trade show organizer globally, according to the annual ranking by STAX Consulting. Visit the future with Easyfairs and learn more at www.easyfairsgroup.com.

For more information, please contact:

evercom, communication agency for Easyfairs

• Javier Martínez: javier.martinez@evercom.es
• Selena Badenas: selena.badenas@evercom.es
• Nacho Gómez: ignacio.gomez@evercom.es
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