President’s Report by Marina Bill

How to overcome shortage of skilled workers

Dear Members, Partners, and Stakeholders,

As we navigate the complexities of the current economic landscape, it is imperative to reflect on the challenges and opportunities that shape the robotics industry today.

The year so far has been marked by significant hurdles, particularly the decline in orders that is impacting our sector around the globe. Economic uncertainties and market fluctuations have created a challenging environment for businesses and innovators within our field. Despite these obstacles, the need for robotization has never been more critical.

One of the most pressing issues we face globally is the shortage of skilled labor. Industries across various sectors are struggling to fill positions, and this gap continues to widen. Robotization presents a viable and necessary solution to this problem, enhancing productivity, efficiency, and safety in workplaces. By integrating robotics into more areas of operation, we can mitigate the impact of labor shortages and ensure sustained economic growth and stability.

Further, the World Bank predicts that GDP per capita would be almost 20 percent higher on average if female employment were increased to be the same as that of men´s.

This initiative is not just a step towards gender equality but a strategic move to diversify and enrich the workforce. By empowering women and promoting inclusivity, we can harness a broader range of perspectives and ideas, driving innovation and excellence in robotics.

In response, the International Federation of Robotics has launched its initiative "IFR's Women in Robotics: 10 Women Shaping the Future of Robotics”. Recognizing the vast potential and talent pool that women represent, this program is designed to encourage and support women in pursuing careers in robotics. We selected an initial group of 10 women – all with different backgrounds, at different career steps, and different companies around the globe – that we will give special visibility to throughout this year.

It will become an annual activity, to inspire other young women to decide to study STEM subjects. Long term, this should support all our members’ efforts to bridge the gender gap and meet the rising labor demand in our industry.

In these challenging times, our collective effort and resilience will be crucial. By focusing on innovation and inclusivity, we can develop a strong and adaptable robotics industry that meets current demands and lays the foundation for a more prosperous future for all.

Best regards

Marina Bill