It’s the new buzzword: reindustrialization. The Covid crisis has brought to light
dependence on France (and from Europe) to production chains located in Asia. The executive has therefore found the solution: we must develop industries of the future in France, to regain some economic sovereignty.
Emmanuel Macron should say a little more this Tuesday, with the launch of “France 2030”. An investment plan of around thirty billion euros to “bring out in our country and in Europe the champions of tomorrow”, as he explained in July. Several industrial sectors deemed to be strategic have already been identified: hydrogen, semiconductors, nuclear or even electric batteries.
“It’s for your country, it’s for magic”
But to reindustrialize, it will first be necessary to seduce those who could work there. Currently, 70,000 positions are vacant in the sector. “The difficulty is to find the right profiles and to attract young people and people in retraining”, admitted last month the Minister in charge of Industry, Agnès Pannier-Runacher. Without arms to run the factories, it is difficult for the government to keep its plan …
So the executive is working to promote the industrial sector by all possible means. The “French Fab Tour”, a traveling village, has been touring all over France since mid-September to “distill its positive message on French industry”, especially for the youngest.
Last week, Agnès Pannier-Runacher also delivered a vibrant plea to entrepreneurs. Assuring that it was essential to “set out to conquer hearts and the imagination in the industry”, she launched: “We must change the outlook of young people (…) So that we say that when you go on a production line is not a punishment, it is for your country, it is for magic ”.
A lack of attractiveness to correct
The “magic” of the industry is still slow to operate. According to a study of the Ministry of Labor published in early October, if several trades in industry – unskilled workers in particular – are struggling to recruit, it is because of “lack of attractiveness”.
In Champagne-Ardennes for example, it is the welders who are missing. “The welder’s job no longer attracts young people, or young people do not know it”, explains Sophie Loizon, Synergie BTP-industrie recruitment manager in Reims. interviewed by France 3. In Rouen, it is the training center of the Union of industries and professions of metallurgy (UIMM) which did not find a taker
for 150 work-study offers.
Training should also be improved
“The easing of recruitment difficulties (and lower unemployment) could therefore also involve improving working conditions and / or raising wages in certain trades,” the study continues. The government has chosen to let each sectoral branch negotiate any increases, but refused any “help” on the minimum wage.
In another part of the cases, the problem arises from the lack of training of the candidates. This lack of qualifications “concerns many specialized trades in industry (mechanical or electrical technicians, for example) (…) and almost all engineering trades in industry”, indicates the ministry. work. Hence the government’s desire to include a training part in the “France 2030” plan.