Demographic Change
Demographic Analysis in 2018
WACKER has been addressing demographic change for many years. The average age of the Group’s workforce at the 2018 reporting date was 43. Employees at non-German sites are younger than in Germany. The average age of OFK executive staff was 53.
The age structure abroad varies greatly from region to region. Staff at Asian sites are comparatively young (average age: 36.1), while staff at US locations had an average age of 43.8 in 2018. Regional variations in age structure are not exclusive to WACKER; they reflect the age structures of the populations in each continent and country.
To maintain our long-term innovative and competitive strength and to acquire and retain highly qualified employees, we have formulated strategic goals such as:
- Systematically promote health
- Maintain and enhance WACKER’s appeal to employees
- Intensify advertising and recruitment efforts aimed at professions critical to WACKER’s success
- Pursue forward-looking strategies for in-house vocational training
- Act as a corporate citizen by fostering scientific and technological interest in youth at an early age
To achieve these goals, we have introduced a number of measures – ranging from employee health programs through to basic and advanced training. These are intended to maintain employees’ job flexibility. We are putting increased effort into acquiring talented and committed young staff. Our Personnel Marketing targets aspiring engineers and scientists, as well as IT experts, and informs them of career opportunities at WACKER. This revolves around intensive contacts with universities, e.g. in the form of project-planning courses, site tours for students, hackathons, opportunities for internships and providing possible topics for bachelor’s and master’s degree theses. WACKER also attends job fairs at universities.