Closely following China, the Indian Paper industry now clearly foresees a major growth phase for the coming two decades. If this growth is to be sustained and consolidated, the industry needs to be globally competitive in terms of cost and quality. Source :- http://www.wirefabrik.com/snippets/1686842365July%202009.pdf

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Vol.13 / Issue-7 JULY 2009 http : // www.wirefabrik.com
THE PAPER INDUSTRY – AN ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION FOR GEN Y ?
Closely following China, the Indian Paper industry now clearly
foresees a major growth phase for the coming two decades. If
this growth is to be sustained and consolidated, the industry
needs to be globally competitive in terms of cost and quality.
This is possible only through competent people. However
the last decade, has been witness to a situation where even
qualified engineers from Paper Institutes have chosen not to
join the paper industry. Perhaps it is time that the industry
does a reality check of the situation and initiates the
necessary steps to attract young talent.
THE SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE
The Paper Industry is full of negative connotations as
viewed in the social perspective.
One of the biggest consumers of fresh water -11% of all
freshwater in industrialized nations.
An occupier of tribal lands – a cause of many land rights
conflicts as in Brazil and Indonesia.
User of harmful chemicals for pulping and bleaching -
leading to release of toxic pollutants such as chlorine,
mercury and phosphorous into the environment.
The question which arises out of the above: Is this the
main reason that the Paper Industry is not being viewed as a
favourable destination by Generation Young. In other words,
why are engineering and technical graduates giving the
Paper Industry a miss whilst selecting prospective
employers?
In an article entitled ‘The Economic Geography of
Talent’, written by researchers at The Carnegie Mellon
University, USA, three criterias were identified as factors that
attract human capital or talent to a particular industry:
Cultural amenities – location near to sites known for
cultural events e.g. Washington DC, San Francisco etc.
This is distinct from in-house recreational amenities which
a company normally provides.
Coolness index – location having active outdoor
recreation, restaurants, shopping areas and a bustling
street scene in other words “energetic” and “vibrant
places”.
Diversity index – this refers to an environment which
encourages multicultural employment and ‘openness’ to
outsiders.
The diversity correlation co-efficient is the highest at 0.718
(compared to 0.469 for coolness and 0.429 for cultural
amenities). It indicates that talented people are attracted to
locations that have a high degree of demographic diversity
and are distinguished by a high degree of ‘openness’.
Simply put, a high paying, challenging employment is not
a sufficient condition to attract talent.
Paper Industry by its very nature, is located away from
large cities which precludes the first two factors but more the
reason that it has to definitely look critically into the third.
WHO ARE THE BEST EMPLOYERS IN THE WORLD ?
This hypothetical question has been put to rest by Hewitt
Associates who have, over the last few years, been
conducting surveys in various countries and continents to
put up lists of ‘25 best employers’ in each region.
It is disconcerting to note that except for one, the paper
companies of the world do not figure in any of the lists.
(Proctor and Gamble, is excluded since it is considered a
diversified conglomerate).
It is only in the Middle East that a Paper Company figures
among the first twelve top employers of the region. It is the
Fine Hygienic Paper Co., UAE, a manufacturer of At-home
tissues.
Moreover, it is heartening to note that in Hewitts Asian
2009 list of 25 Best Employers, 11 are Indian companies.
The above two facts are reason enough for Indian Paper
Mills to showcase their abilities to attain the desired heights
in the near future.
WHAT MAKES THE BEST EMPLOYERS
The list of Best Employers indicate that they are not
confined to any particular location, industry type or are of
any definite size or length of operation. The Best Employer
list includes companies from nearly every industry
imaginable.
Pudumjee Hygiene Products Ltd. has adopted a holistic approach towards marketing of tissue products by
promoting a package of complete hygiene solutions to hospitals, airlines and hotels under the ‘Greenlime’ brand.
INDUSTRY
NEWS

2. These organizations have different businesses and
strategies, but among all, the common trait is that they design
and align their own people strategy to support their business.
Hewitt has identified five key characteristics an
organization needs to have, to qualify as a Best Employer.
These are:
o An effective and committed leadership team
o Talent as a part of strategic focus - clear talent
management strategies.
o High Performance workforces – strongest performers in
key jobs
o Effectiveness of HR function
o Strong customer focus.
Training is an essential element of Talent Management.
The ‘best employers’ average 194 hours of training per
employee each year. At least 50% of their training budget is
reserved for ‘management training’.
IS THE PAPER INDUSTRY DOING SOMETHING?
Across the world, various Paper companies have adopted
different measures. Lately four leading Paper mills in
Australia have adopted the e-learning route. The e-learning
project takes the form of a tool designed to replicate the
operational aspects of four participating pulp and paper
companies and develop the trouble shooting skills and
capabilities of their plant employees.
Called the Pulp and Paper Industry Skill Development Unit
(SDU), the program is designed to benefit the four member
companies – SCA Hygiene Australasia, Kimberley–Clark
Australia, Amcor Fibre Packaging and Australian Paper.
E-learning based training was acknowledged by the pulp
and paper industry as a powerful model for the development
and acquisition of troubleshooting skills.
“The e-learning project will not replace workplace training, it
will expand the learning by showing what is otherwise difficult
to show, in a way that gets traction”. It is a more “experiential
mode of learning”.
Training of Employees is also an on-going process at
paper mills in Europe and USA.
UPM Blandin Paper Mill, USA, and the local Itasca
Community College (ICC) has partnered with the University of
Minnesota in creating a Pulp and Paper educational initiative
for their employees leading to a Diploma in Pulp and Paper
Science. ICC also helped in development and staffing of a
Skills Enhancement Centre inside the Blandin Paper Mill
campus.
There are many such instances of partnership between
Paper Mills and Technical Universities e.g. Alabama River
Pulp Co. associating with Alabama Southern Community
College for Training and recruitment in their 2-year Pulp and
Paper degree programme.
CONCLUSION
Research has revealed some notable variances between
the younger generation and their predecessors.
Young talent is more technologically savvy as a result of
exposure to computers in education. This has equipped Gen Y
with the ability to multi –task and take on greater responsibilities.
They will thus seek additional responsibilities and a more
stimulating working environment. It is also necessary for
employers to implement ‘orientation’ and ‘training ‘programmes
as well as a ‘steps to success’ checklist for constant evaluation.
Young talent needs to be exposed to the many opportunities
the Paper Industry affords. Particular focus on the industry’s
future opportunities for growth solidifies the prospect of a
promising career in the minds of the young recruits.
Partnering with local colleges and Universities in providing
internships and entry-level job placements will produce a greater
awareness of the industry and company in particular, resulting in
qualified candidates with an enduring interest in the industry.
QUOTABLE
QUOTE
The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.
A Chinese proverb
SCRABBLE What does E R I C stand for? (Hint: Term used in de-inking process)
First correct answer will win a Parker Vector Roller Pen (Maximum two prizes for one person in a year).
Post / Fax / Email your answers to EDITOR-W&F SNIPPETS by 20th July, 2009.
WINNER
JUNE’09
Mr.Atul Kaul, Director (Pulp & Paper), WARAQ, Dammam (Saudi Arabia).
Correct Answer : N T U : Nephlometric Turbidity Units
?QUIZ Place these fillers in descending order of mechanical retention on paper machine: clay ; talc ; GCC
Post / Fax / Email your answers to EDITOR-W&F SNIPPETS by 31st
July, 2009.
WINNER
MAY’09
No correct answer received
Quiz: Peroxide bleaching is best performed at neutral Ph and ambient temperatures. True / False? If false give the
correct answer.
Correct Answer : The ideal conditions for Hydrogen Peroxide bleaching are : Ph = 9.5, Temp.= 90C.
Prizes
1. Best / first correct answer received will win one-year subscription to IPPTA Journal (Maximum one prize for one person in a year).
2. Best of the 12 monthly winners in a year, will win one-year subscription to Paper 3600
Magazine, USA.
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