• In the first of the 2-session, members-only Atelier dedicated to upskilling, 7 corporate members assessed their HR-readiness to inclusive workforce transitions.

• Register to the second session on 11 May to improve company processes for the identification, protection, and empowerment of vulnerable workers with suitable communication.

Reskilling and upskilling play a crucial role in preventing ‘hire and fire’ practices towards employees, especially vulnerable ones, whose positions are threatened by automation and digitalisation. At the Atelier “Unlocking the Upskilling potential”, which took place on 18 March, Enel, Iberdrola, Huawei, IBM, Samsung Electronics, Titan Cement, and Toyota Motor Europe analysed and assessed their level of upskilling under the guidance of CSR Europe.

The Atelier provided insights into the essential role played by internal communication and collaboration between the Human Resources (HR) department and other business units in promoting upskilling practices, especially for vulnerable employees. According to Charlotte Creton, General Manager People & Innovation at Toyota Motor Europe, companies always try to do their best to be competitive, modern and to think out of the box, and this same attitude should be applied to the HR sector:

“To change the way we do business is to change the way we work internally” - Charlotte Creton

Companies can take 3 actions to shape the future of work:

1. Re-purposing:

   Update the mission of the company according to new challenges and encourage its leadership to champion a cultural change.

2. Re-skilling:

   Implement best practices and equip employees with the proper tools to achieve the new goals. 

3. Re-culturing:

   Adjust and improve the previous working culture in accordance with the future needs of employees.

In the dialogue between HR and non-HR professionals of participating companies emerged a common understanding on the importance of transforming the HR function to effectively identify and protect vulnerable employees, ensuring equal opportunities to progress and acquire new skills. For this process to succeed, HR experts stressed the necessity for good internal, cross-sectoral communication and the possibility to participate in more decision-making meetings and moments. Setting up an internal HR network was also recognised as relevant to share ideas to protect people and jobs.

NEXT STEPS

Participating companies are encouraged to have internal debates on the level of inclusiveness in their companies and present their improvement plans at the next Atelier “HR Communication for Reskilling and Upskilling”, on 11  May 2021.

Companies that have not joined the first atelier are welcomed to attend this second session, which will focus on:

• How to establish positive communication between the HR department and employees.

• Different strategies to engage employees in continuous learning and personal development.

• How to empower your employees to lead their careers.

The Atelier is a new learning format accessible exclusively to CSR Europe corporate members and aimed at improving company processes thanks to the latest best practices and tools available.

For more information:

Andrea Bittnerova,

Project Manager

UPCOMING EVENTS