"We all have a role in filling the skills gap," MacLennan told business leaders.
The success of the industry is reliant on open and inclusive trade policies, according to the CEO and chairman of Cargill.
“The success of our companies, our employees and the wider world depends on us making a strong, collective stand for trade,” David MacLennan told global commodity leaders assembled at the Financial Times Commodities Global Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“It’s our shared responsibility to stand up for trade because it’s good for people and communities. Trade facilitates prosperity and peace by helping us connect and share talent, ideas and markets,” he said.
MacLennan was speaking amid a difficult landscape for global trade, with fresh scepticism about trade agreements introduced by the Trump administration and fears for the future of European trade with the Brexit announcement, which is expected tomorrow.
MacLennan maintained that the world is at a critical tipping point in international trade policy, and called on industries represented at the event to join together to support the development of sound trade agreements and to be on guard against a growing sentiment toward more restrictive trade measures.
In addition to advocating for comprehensive trade agreements, MacLennan argued for public policies that will result in the creation of a ‘new workforce paradigm’ in which the public and private sectors work together to provide ongoing education and training to workers – including those whose jobs are threatened either by the consequences of trade, or by other factors such as greater implementation of robotics and information technology.
Cargill has previously invested in adult education in Africa and pays premiums to its farmer-suppliers who embrace sustainable farming.
“As companies, we can make sound investments in our future workforce, but public policy and the education system need to keep pace,” MacLennan said. “We all have a role in filling the skills gap.”
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