European industry and the challenge of industrial change
Industrial transformation was at the heart of the conference held by Minister Jean-Claude Marcourt on the premises of the Cristallerie du Val Saint-Lambert in Seraing, on November 15th and 16th. Jean-Claude Marcourt, current president of the Competitiveness Council for industry, made a significant contribution to the conclusions to be published by the European Ministers for Industry following their next meeting on November 25th.
Industry representatives, high-level political figures and employer and union federation representatives came to discuss the changes expected as a result of the new industrial policy announced by the Commission last October 28th and how to manage these changes. The policy was presented by Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the Commission. Concrete examples of company practices and policies and clear information contributed to attendee debates. The debate was divided into three separate sessions. The first covered the transformation of production methods. The session was opened by the former Portuguese Labour Minister, Maria Joao Rodrigues, and introduced representatives from the steel and metal fabrication industries, two sectors that must deal with climate change.
The adaptation of skills was at the heart of the second session. It was opened by Bernard Gazier, professor at Paris 1-La Sorbonne and the originator of the concept of “employability”. The third session tackled the impact the transformation of large companies has on the entire value chain and, notably, on sub-contracting SMEs. Two round tables – one on the expected results of European industrial policy and the other on its financing – closed out the debates.
The Globalisation Adjustment Fund was created by the Commission to support the training of salaried employees within the framework of large-scale company restructuring tied to globalisation. The Fund’s director presented its prospects which will have to be adjusted to meet industrial and economic realities. Industry employs nearly 22 million people in the European Union and contributes to 37% of the added value of our economy. However, it must be pointed out that industry is undergoing continuous change and restructuring. Industry heads, the representatives of employer and union organisations, and the political world all agree that, as a result, change must be anticipated in order to better manage it and transform constraints into opportunities.
