Capability shift
Advancing digitalisation, demographic change and the need for sustainability are altering market requirements and therefore also the way companies work. As a result, some job profiles are changing and new jobs for qualified professionals are emerging that combine sustainability and new technologies.
In order to remain a reliable partner for its customers in the future, Festo is focussing on this capability shift. Together with its employees, Festo is engaged in a continuous learning process so that it can remain an attractive employer for new talent and to systematically train its employees at an early stage.
Diversity management
Diversity – or variety – is a crucial success factor for Festo and shapes not only society, but also our corporate culture. Appreciating the diversity and the uniqueness of people, from different cultures, with different life concepts and abilities, has been part of Festo's corporate culture since the company was founded.
The topic of diversity is also relevant in the context of our sustainability strategy and contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 5, 8 and 10. To be able to take the right steps in the future, a Diversity and Inclusion position was created in 2022. The main activities were started in Germany in 2022. Local teams are already active in some national subsidiaries and clusters.
Diversity Charter
In 2022, Festo signed the Diversity Charter. The aim of this self-declaration is to send a clear signal about diversity, both internally and externally. We want to observe and promote our self-image of workforce diversity more strongly in the future.
The Diversity Charter describes diversity in four levels. Personality is at the centre. This is influenced by the core dimensions that are unchangeable from the outside, the external level and the organisational level.
Employee networks
Women@Festo – the women's network at Festo
Women@Festo is a network of women for women at Festo. This is where women of all ages, professions and levels of seniority network. The network offers space for women to share their experiences, to support each other and promotes planning ahead together, reflection and thinking outside the box.
Women@Festo is open to all female employees who:
- Want to help shape the future of Festo together
- Want to develop personally and professionally
- Want to support cultural change and shape diversity at Festo
- Want to actively take advantage of opportunities in the company
- Want to expand their network and meet other dedicated women
Proud@Festo – the LGBTIQ network at Festo
Proud@Festo is the LGBTIQ network (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual, queer) at Festo. The aim is to provide a network for LGBTIQ people and employees who celebrate difference, promote the visibility of varied lifestyles and tolerant coexistence.
Specifically, the aim is:
- Promoting visibility and acceptance
- Enabling networking
- Being a point of contact for employees and management
- Driving LGBTIQ issues at the company
- Supporting Festo corporate responsibility
- Representing Festo in LGBTIQ issues beyond company borders
Diversity of nationalities
We are convinced that mixed teams can work more creatively and efficiently than homogeneous groups. When it comes to area of origin, we continue to benefit from the cultural diversity of our workforce. As a company that is represented in around 60 countries, this diversity helps us to understand the specific needs of our customers worldwide.
Attractive employer
"Lifelong learning" is ingrained in Festo’s DNA. At Festo, employees benefit from the combination of in-person events as well as e-learning. Ongoing digitalisation is leading to a greater focus on virtual training at Festo. Festo also offers other benefits that make us an attractive employer.
Vocational training
We view it as our responsibility to train young people and then employ them as qualified professionals. That is why Festo places great emphasis on vocational training, which can also be seen as indirectly adding value for retaining employees.
The advantages of dual education programs at Festo are, on the one hand, the combination of theory and practice to reflect on and apply what has been learned. On the other hand, the experience of working in different departments encourages trainees to actively participate right from the start, thus facilitating their entry into working life.
Our international locations are growing and the search for suitable skilled workers is not always an easy task for them either. That is why we have adapted the dual education model from Germany at some of our locations abroad.
Left figure: The number of trainees from 2021 to 2023 by country.
Occupational safety
Safety – in particular occupational health and safety – is a fundamental part of the corporate philosophy at Festo. The compliance with and implementation of safety requirements are intended to protect our employees and the company’s assets. The aim is to continuously reduce the risk of accidents and health hazards.
Our global safety standards are incorporated in the integrated management system and laid down in an international manual. They are continually and proactively revised and are based on internationally applicable standards, regulations and Festo’s requirements.
In addition to the legal requirements, findings from audits and input from the Festo network also ensure that the information is up to date.
Festo has already implemented a certified ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management system at its locations in Budapest, São Paulo and Shanghai. Local systems, also based on ISO 45001, are in place at the other Festo sites with production and logistics capabilities.