Brooks most likely to be affected by automated jobs

Mayor Barry Morishita is concerned, but notes change could also bring opportunity. “So we have to look at it that perspective too that some of the technologies that are going to be driving automation changes will also potentially have a benefit and produce employment and innovation for our community.”

Morishita says automation is a challenge for municipalities generally. “But I think it is a good reminder for industry and the community that jobs are going to change over time and it’s not just the packing industry that’s seeing automation. Oil and gas see a lot more automation, banking, it doesn’t matter what it is you see a lot more technology-driven processes.”

JBS invested 41 million dollars into a New Zealand based robotics company in 2015 which specialized in fully automated butchering.

Chat News reached out to JBS to inquire about automation at the plant, but we were declined an interview.

Instead, we received this email from JBS corporate affairs.

“We constantly seek ways to improve worker safety, overall performance, and innovation capabilities through the use of automation, however current automation in the Brooks facility is limited. We don’t have future automation plans to share at this time.”

Employment opportunities at JBS are what drive many immigrants to settle in Brooks.

Brooks and County Immigration Services are continually working with the industry to be part of the future.

BCIS Service Manager Mohammed Idriss says, “Employment is a big part of what we do. So we have training programs, different sectors we are working with in terms of up-scaling and training our clientele. Not only for the jobs available today but also jobs that are in that future market.”

While the future may be uncertain, JBS says they are focused on its current workforce, noting the Brooks facility has the lowest turnover rate in the entire company.

by Chantal Wagner

Brooks most likely to be affected by automated jobs

Our Community