How to Fix the Skills Gap (It's Not What You Think)
Welcome to the July 2025 edition of the MRG Wire. This month, we're taking you on the road with us to investigate one of the most critical questions facing leaders and their teams today.
There’s a story we tell ourselves about automation. It’s a story of robots getting smarter and workers getting left behind. It’s a story of a skills gap so wide that bridging it feels nearly impossible.
It’s a good story. It’s dramatic. It fits a neat narrative.
But what if that story... is wrong?
It’s the kind of question we love to explore on HIRED! The Podcast, and it recently sent us on the road to the U.S. headquarters of ABB Robotics. Our guide for the day was Christelle Keefer, ABB's Global Segment Manager for Education. She led our host, Travis Miller, and the rest of our team through not only their stunning robotics showroom but onto the factory floor where these machines are actually built. It was a firsthand look at how this technology is shaping our world, guided by one of the leading experts in the field.
But we were there to answer a different question, one that lies at the heart of the entire industrial economy: In an era where the unemployment rate for skilled technical talent is a staggering 1.1%, how can any company hope to thrive?
The answers we found were not what we expected.
First, Let's Talk About That "Insurmountable" Skills Gap.
Consider the case of a 15-year veteran welder. They are an expert at their craft. Then one day, their company brings in a robot to automate the welding process. The common narrative says this person’s career is in jeopardy. They'll need to go back to school, get an engineering degree, and completely reinvent themselves. Right?
Wrong.
We asked Christelle about this exact scenario. Her answer was stunningly simple. That expert welder can learn to operate the robot in a two-day class. They can learn basic programming for that robot in about a week. Suddenly, the gap doesn't look so insurmountable. The story isn't one of displacement, but of evolution.
Which Brings Us to a More Provocative Idea.
If it's that straightforward to upskill an existing employee, then who is responsible for building the talent of the future?
Christelle’s take is pointed: "I hate to put the weight on industry, but I'm going to put the weight on industry... What you put in [to the next generation] is what you get out."
It’s a powerful mandate. For decades, companies have been able to simply find the talent they need. But the data shows those days are over. The companies that succeed in the future will be the ones that actively create talent by engaging with schools, by building mentorships, and by investing in people long before they even need a job.
How to Stand Out in a Crowded Field
In this new market, it’s clear the old ways of proving your worth are no longer enough. A paper resume can’t capture passion, drive, or a will to learn. So how does an ambitious person, whether a new graduate or a seasoned professional, truly separate themselves from the pack?
According to Christelle, you have to show, not just tell.
"What are you doing to build your portfolio?" she asks. "Back in the day, we'd have paper portfolios to showcase what we've done. Now, you should either have a LinkedIn profile, you should have a website. Show me what you've done to stand out from everybody out there."
It's a direct challenge to take control of your own narrative.
The future of work isn't a simple story of replacement; it's a much more interesting story of reinvention. It’s a story about human potential, and it's still being written.
To hear the full, fascinating conversation and get the complete roadmap for navigating the future of talent, dive into the new episode of HIRED! The Podcast.
Christelle Keefer is a trailblazer at the intersection of robotics and education. As the Global Segment Manager for Education at ABB, she is driven by a passion for preparing the workforce of tomorrow, a commitment recognized when the International Federation of Robotics named her one of the 10 Women Shaping the Future of Robotics. Throughout her career, she has developed innovative curricula and certifications with a focus on empowering the next generation and fostering diversity. Christelle also helps steer the industry's future through her role on the A3 Robotics Technology Strategy Board and as a fierce advocate for creating opportunities for women, underrepresented groups, and individuals with disabilities in automation.
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1wI was so grateful to be a part of this trip and to meet Christelle Keefer! ABB was amazing and the team made us feel so welcome!
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1wI had such a tremendous conversation with Christelle Keefer. If hiring, the world of work, robotics, or automation are anywhere on your radar, you should definitely hear what she has to say.