Dairy cluster: identification and closing of gaps

Human capital, in general, is one of the most important inputs for the generation of wealth, the reduction of poverty in a sustainable way, the reduction of inequities and, therefore, greater development and increased competitiveness.

When there are gaps in human capital, that is, when companies demand knowledge or skills in workers that are difficult to obtain in the labor market or when the number of workers is not enough, the economy suffers, productivity is affected and the possibilities for growth and well-being are limited.

The human capital gaps are presented below, so that the implementation of a roadmap that leads to their closing is proposed and managed.

Main positions that are difficult to obtain

Drivers: They are a position that is difficult to achieve, since they are related to the distribution of raw materials, inputs and finished products in all links of the dairy chain, for which the efficiency and effectiveness in the development of their work has a direct effect on both producers and processing companies. The urgency of the sector to obtain these positions not only responds to an occupational demand, but also to the need to find drivers with certain technical and transversal skills and with specific training in processes for handling perishable or fragile materials, to name just a few. The lack of these skills and the low supply or high cost of educational programs or courses that certify the candidates' knowledge of food transportation, make this factor become a quality gap for these positions.

Farm managers and milkers: They have a similar importance for the sector and are given the same priority in their search and selection as drivers. For these two profiles, selection requirements are made that include many technical and transversal competences, but there are no courses or training programs or formal education that meet these requirements, thus generating a gap between the conditions of the offer and the external training options. Therefore, these positions also constitute a quality gap

Accounting assistants: According to what was analyzed by the producers, companies, experts, and associations called, accounting assistants are needed to support daily monetary operations, but suitable personnel are not available to work in the sector, since the candidates do not have knowledge about the type of accounting processes to be carried out for a diverse sector with complex accounting operations such as dairy.

Production operators: They are one of the profiles most requested by companies in the dairy sector. However, this profile is not easy to achieve due to the lack of supply, especially when it is required that they have the appropriate technical and transversal skills to carry out their work. It is a profile that, despite the existence of a training program, is insufficient to meet the requirements and technical knowledge, resulting in the hiring of high school graduates and the training of competencies in the company itself. Companies and unions have agreed that a production operator is needed in the production of dairy products, who certifies specific and specialized knowledge for the treatment of food products.

Technical sellers: They are also necessary for the Dairy sector and constitutes a quality gap as they do not have enough transversal skills to make it a stable profile within the sector.

This content was worked with in collaboration with the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, see the complete document here
 

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