The nature of work and dynamics have changed. Globalization and accessibility are two key factors that have completely changed how Chemical Industry works.

Today more than ever chemical industry needs a highly trained employee who can contribute to the transformation with creative, innovative, and competitive ability.

It is the most diverse industry compared to any other industry operating. The diversity is practically such dispersed that the basic ingredients are harnessed in one place, compounding elements are extracted at another, catalysts are kept in a different dedicated location, manufacturing is done dedicatedly, and many products are often unseen products by end users.

How can learning and development contribute to excel the performance standards of the industry overall and avoid any misses?

Overcoming the challenge of workforce development-related concerns through following learning interventions to prepare better, comply with regulations, and achieve greater performance:

1. Continuous Learning

The industry is marked by ever-evolving regulations to protect the environment, safeguard the ecosystem and care for public concerns. Thus, staff across the segment needs to be continuously made aware and trained on such specific requirements.

From training employees on the concept of raw material, support material, health and safety rules, compliance, product life cycle, environment issues & health, etc. to make them proficient in decision making at work, ongoing training best fits to excel.

Thus, training employees for the entire life cycle at work, not just the traditional training but a mix and blend of relevant learning should help them achieve superior functioning.

Leveraging performance solutions such as microlearning strategy, specific training on technical skills requirement, and introducing scalable regulatory pieces of training can support to prepare for the future.

2. Customer centric training

As described above, this industry is quite vast; a customer can be another organization, or a client can be a customer. Such intermingled industry requires great customer-centric behavior at work.

Also, in the current time of high customer-centric behavior across the world, it is inevitable for any industry to become most loved with a customer-centric approach. One such initiative in increasing greater customer satisfaction is the wide-scale introduction of ‘product stewardship’ to minimize safety risks and environmental concerns.

When staff functions with a customer-centric approach, they involve in real-time feedback and suggestions, resulting in innovative ideas associated with the safety and operation of the chemical industry.

3. Development towards high-tech roles

As adjustments and adaptations rise in the working behavior requirement, workforce development rises concerns about preparing the workforce for the future.

The chemical industry has been a slow adaptor to technology, it might not seem lucrative to a young audience of the workforce today, acting as one of the reasons for the talent crunch in the industry.

As the world is witnessing the rise of AI, ML, and data-driven innovations, leading chemical industry players started to adapt to this technology. Hence training employees on nuances of innovative cutting-edge technology will bring a changed perception and retentive initiative for the workforce.

4. Emphasizing on diverse and inclusive environment

Inclusive culture promotes innovation, builds creativity, and brings better business outcomes. When we talk about the chemical industry, the war of talent can be easily won by this approach.

As we evolve with growing technology, skills requirement, and work conditions, we must evolve into diverse and inclusive learning environments and opportunities. In the coming years, adaptability and flexibility will prove to be a competitive edge for most industries. Division of work will be seen between, humans, machines, and algorithms.

To retain a diverse audience, a strategic learning and development plan including a remarkable onboarding solution, engaging training plan, and progressing enablement plan can suffice the need.

5. Leadership training

While leadership is known to play a major role and drive achievements from the team, it is the most demanding one.

The coming years are about to witness a rise in working millennials. The most desired leaders will have varied skills, knowledge, and behavior to support their team to thrive in the organization. Leadership training today saves the risks and readies the experienced professionals to prepare for future wider roles.

Industry fundamental training, understanding of the global chemical industry, green technology, and upcoming research and development – all these are assessed by leadership, along with behavior training.

Hence, thinking about what this industry has gone through and what awaits, there are plenty of diverse training and development interventions required for this workforce. The current disruption demands stakeholders to prepare for the future.

If you are looking for new growth, reach Ozemio and transform your talent potential.