BUSINESS STUDIES 7115 · STRUCTURED PRACTICE
Nordic Marine Technologies (NMT) manufactures high-efficiency electric outboard boat engines for the Scandinavian market.
To expand capacity, NMT has invested $1.4 million in automated computer-controlled robotic assembly cells. Because of this automation, 12 traditional manual welding jobs are being phased out. At the same time, NMT urgently requires 8 Robotic Maintenance Technicians to program and maintain the new automated equipment.
The Human Resources Director has produced a job description and person specification for the new roles. The Board must decide whether to fill the 8 vacancies via internal recruitment (retraining 8 displaced welders) or via external recruitment (hiring certified robotics graduates), and whether to use off-the-job training.
Distinguish between a job description and a person specification.
Explain the difference between dismissal and redundancy in the context of NMT's factory automation.
Outline two benefits to NMT of using off-the-job training at a specialist technical college for the robotics technicians.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of internal recruitment and external recruitment for NMT's 8 new technician positions. Recommend which recruitment method NMT should choose. Justify your answer.
Total: 10 marks