In the first quarter of 2023 theexport of Milanese mechatronics grew more than in Lombardy: + 14,7% against 7,7%. The performance is in line with that of the total economy of the province (+14,5% in the first quarter of 2023). This is what emerged from the analysis promoted by the joint territorial metalworking observatory, made up of Assolombarda and the provincial union secretariats Fim Cisl, Fiom Cgil and Uilm Uil to monitor the most relevant issues in the Milanese metalworking sector.
La Milanese manufacturing production it slowed down in the first three months of 2023: +3,3% yoy, more than the +2,5% in Lombardy. While exports recorded double-digit increases both in 2022 (+19,6%) and in the first quarter of 2023 (+14,5% compared to the first quarter of 2022).
Boom of Milanese mechatronics
In detail, in 2022, exports of mechatronics were mainly supported by the sectors of metallurgy,electronics and electrical equipment, which outperformed the industry average (over +20%, with an average of +14,9% for mechatronics). In the first quarter of 2023, on the other hand, it is above all electrical equipment (+24,7%) and the automotive sector (+19,4%) that drives mechatronics exports. Compared to the Lombardy figure, in the first quarter of 2023, the export of mechatronics in Milan shows higher growth rates in all sectors, with the exception of electronics (+13,5% in Lombardy, against +10,2% in Milan ). In particular, theautomotive it is the sector where Milan and Lombardy differ the most: the province's exports grew by +19,4%, while the region's exports fell by -2,4%.
Positive signals from the labor market
They are down in the Milanese mechatronic sector minimum hours di layoffs authorized, only 151 thousand in April compared to 510 thousand in March. In the last 12 months, Milanese companies in the sector have published almost 14 job advertisements, mainly looking for installers-repairers, assemblers and industrial designers.
A positive note also concerns the investments in training carried out by metalworking companies in Milan, a figure obtained on the basis of data related to training financed with inter-professional funds. From the requests forwarded to the Territorial Training Commission set up by Assolombarda-Cgil-Cisl-Uil, it emerges that, in 2022, the training mainly involved clerical figures (generic white collars, front office staff, accountants), specialized metalworkers and technicians (technicians specialized in life science and engineering, IT and administrative technicians).
Compared to 2021, some significant trends emerge from the study: the greater emphasis on sustainability Environmental Sustainability (to the detriment of IT and personal skills which, in the Covid period, had experienced a strong boost), the collapse of training activities dedicated to supporting workers in the phases of social distancing and the growing attention to strengthening digital skills, team and decision-making skills.
