Staff development
High specialization and personality in demand
Many positions in the defense industry require a very high degree of specialization. In addition, strict technical and regulatory standards apply. Depending on the area of deployment, employees have to be familiar with a wide variety of civilian and military-specific standards. Since this is usually not the case with specialists from other industries, they sometimes need intensive onboarding. How much effort this involves and to what extent they have to be specially qualified for their new position depends heavily on the position and the specialists’ specific experience. The companies surveyed have implemented special onboarding processes in order to quickly familiarize new employees with their tasks and integrate them into the teams.
In addition to professional competence, employers attach great importance to applicants’ personal qualities. Soft skills in particular – such as initiative, the willingness to take on responsibility in the demanding environment, or the ability to work in a team – are important to all companies, regardless of whether they are established or newly added.
“In some areas, experienced specialists can be deployed in our company after a shorter onboarding period. In other areas, however, a longer period of individual qualification is required in order to be able to meet the special requirements in the defense industry.”
Dr. Vera Saal,
CHRO and Labor Director,
Rheinmetall AG
