9SEPTEMBER, 2021The manufacturing skills gap is not a new problem. But the pandemic has shown that we, as leaders in the sector, must approach it with a stronger sense of urgencyopportunities that a manufacturing career offers--but there is no substitute for hands-on experience. At ADM, we launched a rotational leadership development program that will provide young engineers with a series of meaningful assignments across different areas of our business. Similarly, vocational training programs at high schools and community colleagues can bring attention to potential careers in manufacturing and skilled trades and provide valuable experience to potential job candidates--but only if we help support these programs and speak to the important role, they will play in addressing the challenges facing our sector and, in fact, the world.To retain the right talent, we must build trust by providing continuous learning opportunities, making a positive difference in the world around us, and taking on a leadership role in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. To me, these guiding principles will be most effective if we adopt them both within our respective companies and together as a sector. As the use of digital and automated tools becomes more common in the years ahead, providing more learning opportunities will become increasingly critical to our value proposition. We must also continue to take action to improve the well-being of the communities where we operate. Each successive generation that enters the workforce prioritizes working for a company that shares their values more than their predecessors. That's why, at ADM, we assess the needs of communities individually and prioritize programs by directing funding to initiatives and organizations that drive meaningful social, economic and environmental progress.Adapting to changing conditions and requirements is nothing new for our sector. But we must address this growing challenge together--now.
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