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REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2022 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE I I-CONNECT007 129 data on the progress of their orders, and to con- sider product design modifications. It could present some security risks but offered oppor- tunities for trust and collaboration across the supply chain. Supply chain issues will persist. e pan- demic has disrupted a great many just-in-time arrangements, a reminder that supply chain resiliency doesn't come without trade-offs. Mitchell believes that companies will now re- think their supply-chain optimisation strate- gies to balance resiliency vs. risk, and digital transparency will assist in quickly identifying and resolving problems. Not many in the audience, myself included, admitted to understanding the meaning of ESG. Mitchell predicted that, before long, everybody will be familiar with environmental social governance, and explained that inves- tors are increasingly applying these non-finan- cial factors as part of their analysis process for identifying material risks and growth oppor- tunities before making investment decisions. IPC has already launched an ESG steering group to enable members to stay ahead of ESG obligations. Mitchell confessed that the workforce chal- lenge is his favourite topic. All the exciting changes already discussed in relation to the Fac- tory of the Future are contingent on one thing— a skilled workforce. e challenge can be con- sidered as two general challenges each with two areas to focus: talent acquisition and talent retention. Acquisition requires two actions: a pipeline of incoming talent and efficient on- boarding of that talent. How do you bring in and effectively train people quickly? He was grati- fied to hear from the industry that IPC's opera- tor training programmes have helped thousands into the industry. Retention presents two chal- lenges: pathways for career progression and upskilling in an ever-evolving work environ- ment. People genuinely want to get better. A clear message for the Factory of the Future is that change is going to be a common occurrence going forward. New skills will be required constantly. IPC will continue to work with the industry to help educate candidates as early as possible. Mitchell's concluding question: So now what? e Factory of the Future is not "a goal to be achieved," however contradictory that might sound. ere is always something new on the horizon and it will continue to evolve. "We must all become future-focused, every day," he said. "Now, more than ever, the indus- try needs each of you to shape the future. If you're not shaping the future, your competi- tors will be. Or worse yet, people in govern- ment offices with very little understanding of our industry, will be shaping our future for us, as they have in the past." S&T