Abstract:
The development of the modern economy is determined by a number of conditions. One of the most important factors for achieving competitive advantages is the use of the latest technologies and innovations that allow the implementation of solutions within Industry 4.0. Technological progress affects all areas of human life. In addition to providing productivity-enhancing solutions in individual sectors of the economy, modern information and communication technologies provide unlimited information, enabling widespread communication on a global scale, which implies both the acceleration of the development of economies at the level of countries and regions, as well as the dynamic development of individual enterprises. One of the manifestations of the dynamics of these changes is the entry into a new stage of production process standards, associated with the forthcoming fourth industrial revolution, referred to as Industry 4.0. These trends have a huge impact on all areas of social life, including the shaping of the current and future labour market. Technological development affects the employment situation, among others, by changing the production capabilities of modern enterprises, shaping contemporary consumer trends and changing the factors determining the company’s competitiveness. One of the most important factors, largely due to technological development, which affects both the development of demand and labour supply, is undoubtedly the pace at which changes are taking place today. The dynamics of change, on the one hand, makes it impossible to accurately determine future staffing needs, but at the same time forces us to observe existing trends and trends and design activities in a way that allows us to optimally prepare for the upcoming challenges of the future. The research conducted so far has focused primarily on the presentation of the situation at the global and national level. However, the results of this study refer mainly to the situation of the region, thanks to which they contribute to increasing the knowledge base on the socio-economic situation of Wielkopolska, which will allow its use in the creation of employment strategies for the Wielkopolska Voivodeship and programming of the new EU financial perspective, or the preparation of other strategic documents and studies related to this subject.
