HRM and skills development – August 2025
Talent shortages and the search for recognition
The Arbeitsgemeinschaft Ernährungsindustrie (in German) has explored HR trends in the food and beverage sector. Their report (in German, 4.4 MB) shows that 64% of HR managers struggle to recruit qualified staff. Meanwhile, O.C. Tanner highlights in its 2025 State of Recognition Report that employees increasingly value personal, authentic recognition over standardised reward systems and routine bonuses. “Recognition is meaningful when it’s authentic and human,” the authors note. You can download the O.C. Tanner report after filling in your details. Together, the two studies underscore the dual challenge for HR: attracting scarce talent while creating a workplace culture that genuinely acknowledges people’s contributions, motivation and day-to-day effort. Companies that ignore this balance risk losing both competitiveness and employee loyalty.
AI agents: teammates, not bosses
AI agents are moving from futuristic vision to workplace reality. A report (4.2 MB) from Prosus shows they increasingly manage repetitive tasks and make decisions within defined boundaries, freeing human workers for creative and strategic work. “AI agents are no longer just tools, they are teammates”, the report notes.
Research by Workday makes clear that employees resist seeing AI as leaders. While 75% of workers welcome AI as teammates, only 30% accept them as managers — leadership remains firmly human. You can download the Workday report after filling in your details.
Young workers face uncertainty
One in three young professionals is unsure how AI will shape their career prospects, according to global research (5.04 MB) by Generation. Entry-level workers welcome AI’s ability to speed up induction and broaden opportunities, but many also fear job insecurity and disruption. For Gen Z, this tension is especially acute, as they begin their careers in a landscape transformed by automation. The findings highlight the importance of providing strong training, mentorship and career advice to help young workers build confidence and resilience in the age of AI.
Skills as the key to productivity and career growth
In a recent article McKinsey stresses that technology alone does not guarantee higher productivity in manufacturing. The authors argue that companies that equip employees with advanced skills — from digital tools to data analysis and complex maintenance — can achieve productivity gains up to 40% greater than their peers. A report from the Association for Supply Chain Management (121 kB) echoes this focus on workforce development, noting that supply chain professionals consistently enjoy above-average earnings and robust job security. You can download the report after filling in your details.
Robots between vision and reality
The large-scale use of humanoid robots is still more vision than fact, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). While advances are significant, current applications remain limited to niches like healthcare, logistics and hospitality. “Expectations often exceed reality,” the report warns. Unlike physical robots, which face technical and cultural barriers, AI software agents are already widely embedded and delivering measurable productivity gains. This contrast illustrates the future path: while humanoid robots still struggle to cross the gap into mainstream work, software-driven AI has already arrived. You can download the position paper after filling in your details.
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