Month: February 2024

Originally published on 3M News Center

As the world navigates environmental challenges, societal shifts, and rapidly evolving technologies, science continues to provide solutions. The 2024 3M State of Science Insights* survey reveals people view science as critical to both society and their daily lives. Commissioned by 3M and fielded by Morning Consult, the global survey shows that science is viewed as a fundamental part of how the world addresses urgent issues like climate change, shapes the future of work, and fosters growth in STEM careers and green jobs – all essential components of a prosperous future.

“It’s encouraging to see widespread recognition of the critical role of science in our lives,” said John Banovetz, executive vice president, chief technology officer and environmental responsibility, 3M. “Science is what enables 3M to innovate vital solutions that transform lives, help preserve our planet, make people safer and more productive, and build a brighter tomorrow.”

As 3M works to address global challenges, we know the opportunities and issues posed by climate change, the future of work, and emerging technologies cannot be tackled independently – they are interconnected. To drive global progress forward, the world must look at these macro-forces collectively and work together – as businesses, governments, educational institutions, and individuals.

Climate change is one of the biggest threats to humankind 
Climate change is an incredibly complex issue impacting the global population in a variety of ways – and most acknowledge it must be addressed with urgency. In fact, more than three-quarters of survey respondents think climate change is one of the biggest threats to humankind (81%) and as the impacts of climate change affect more communities, the issue also becomes more personal.

While nearly half of the global respondents claim they have already been impacted by climate change (43%), one-third (30%) believe their community will be impacted within the next ten years. Extreme weather events (52%), lack of clean water (34%), long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns (32%), and climate change related to health issues (31%) are among the top concerns.

“3M is intensifying our commitment to finding innovative climate solutions,” said Gayle Schueller, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, 3M. “We are focused on using cutting-edge materials science and technology to address this paramount issue, advancing decarbonization, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable infrastructure to protect our planet and its people.”

Globally, 85% of survey respondents believe companies need to be more committed to using sustainable materials, and 77% demand transparency from companies that claim sustainable commitments. 3M is proud of our diverse set of sustainability goals and reports on our progress each year in the Global Impact Report.

The future of work is defined by skilled trades, STEM and green jobs 
The global workforce continues to evolve as shifting demographics and climate change reshape the world around us. Despite change and uncertainty for many, respondents feel hopeful that skilled trades, STEM, and green jobs will lead the way and play a significant role in the future of work. In fact, respondents say skilled trades (83%) are their top recommended career choice for younger generations to pursue, with STEM (80%) and green jobs (78%) closely following, demonstrating global relevancy and importance of these vital careers across sectors.

“For the world’s transition to a low-carbon economy, STEM and skilled trade careers are vital. We must encourage people to pursue these fields and support them on their journey,” said Jayshree Seth, corporate scientist and chief science advocate, 3M. “As the challenges facing our world evolve, the next generation can help us adapt by applying their skills to create and implement innovative science-based sustainable solutions.”

While careers in STEM still offer the greatest opportunity to younger generations, green jobs are inching their way up. Not only do respondents see green jobs as a growing field (51%), but as climate change rattles communities, they believe the world needs more green workers (49%). Additionally, many see green jobs as an opportunity for innovation and problem solving.

Green jobs signal hope and opportunity 
As global anxieties around climate change increase, the growth of green jobs can offer relief—benefitting the planet, people, and economic growth. Defined as jobs that contribute to preserving or restoring the environment, green careers can be found in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction or expanding fields like renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Along with governments, businesses, and organizations, the public is increasingly recognizing the importance of the green economy. Globally, 75% of respondents believe green jobs are crucial to addressing climate change and 77% believe green jobs will have a positive impact on society.

On a personal level, many believe these jobs offer promising career opportunities, and most expect to see growth in the green jobs market over the next five years (75%). Survey findings show that with this global momentum and positive sentiment, there is an opportunity for businesses to seize the moment and drive green skills development:

Green jobs are for everyone. Most respondents (70%) believe people in all career stages should look for green jobs. This could indicate that green workers are more likely to share a purpose-driven mindset than age group or professional background.There is a universal feeling of excitement and respect for green jobs. About three-quarters (73%) believe green jobs provide exciting new opportunities, have a positive impact on society (77%), and command respect for those who perform them (77%).Interest in learning green skills is widespread. Two-thirds (65%) of people would like to learn skills that could help them land a green job, and 63% also believe they don’t need a career change to perform one.

The AI revolution and its impact on the world around us 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is associated with both opportunities and challenges, including economic transformation, fears of social disruption, governance concerns, and impacts on education and jobs. Despite these conflicting perspectives, it is undeniable that AI is shaping the future.

According to survey respondents, 77% believe AI will change the world as we know it, yet 77% also believe due to its revolutionary potential, AI needs to be heavily regulated. It’s clear that attitudes toward AI are situational between life at home and work. Most people (61%) note an increased presence of AI in their lives, a clear understanding of where AI is being used in their everyday life (55%), and a strong conviction that AI is a tool for problem solving (68%).

Beyond AI, there is general fear that emerging technologies, robots, and automation will replace workers (66%). Possibly fueled by this concern, most people say they would be excited to work with these evolving innovations.

Building a brighter tomorrow 
As the world transitions toward a green economy and society driven by emerging technology, people’s relationship and engagement with science will continue to grow and evolve. By continuing to innovate solutions that mitigate the effects of climate change, spreading awareness of the impact and importance of green jobs, and responsibly integrating emerging technologies, 3M will help advance global progress and a brighter future for all.

*State of Science Insights Methodology 
The 3M State of Science Insights presents original, third-party research, conducted by Morning Consult. The survey was fielded from December 13, 2023 to January 10, 2024 and surveyed 10 countries across Asia Pacific, North America, South America, and Europe among 1,000 general population adults (18+) in each of the following countries: Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, U.K., and the U.S. At the 95% confidence level, the margin of error is +/- 1 percentage points at the global, 10-country level and +/- 3 percentage points for each individual country.

By Mel Campbell

Taking bold steps forward – like trying something new, following your dreams or beginning the journey to college – takes a lot. It takes knowledge. Grit. And sometimes, it takes help.

Perhaps, what it really takes is the confidence to take that bold step. And behind each step, often there was someone who helped you build that confidence. Someone who inspired you to find your own voice.

What better way to honor that confidence – and those who inspire it – than to help more young people? For more than 12 years, Regions also has been there to help some of the best and brightest students with scholarships through the Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Contest.

The Riding Forward Scholarship Contest has given hundreds the chance to share their stories and inspire others along the way.

Paula Drake, head of Regions Marketing and Communications

And in 2024, we’re expanding the program – with more opportunities for students to enter.

The contest invites high school and college students to submit a video essay or traditional written essay on someone they know, someone in their community who has helped them find the confidence to reach higher. In addition, for 2024, the contest has been expanded to allow more opportunities – and more entries – for the competition:

Up to two video winners and two essay winners will be awarded each quarter (a total of 16 scholarships per year)Regions will promote the scholarship contest throughout the year and students are encouraged to submit at any time.Students should highlight individuals they know, who are part of their community and how they helped the student build the confidence they need to reach their goals.Scholarship winners will receive $8,000 each, to be used for education expenses within two years.

“The Riding Forward Scholarship Contest has given hundreds the chance to share their stories and inspire others along the way,” said Paula Drake, head of Regions Marketing and Communications. “Over the history of the program, Regions has awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships. It’s an investment that makes life better for the students, their families, and the community.”

More information on Riding Forward is available at www.regions.com/ridingforward.

Full contest rules for entry requirements, restrictions and more.

See a full list of winners from 2023 and their winning submissions on Doing More Today.

If you know of a young person – in college or headed that way – please share this information with them and with the guidance counselor at their school.

The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest has awarded over $1.4 million in educational assistance to more than 400 students over the past 12 years.

Originally published in the Maximus 2023 Sustainability Report

At Maximus, our dedication to nurturing a vibrant culture of continuous learning is pivotal. This commitment not only aligns with our strategic objectives and values but also cultivates an environment where every employee is empowered to reach their utmost potential. This approach is instrumental in driving organizational growth and enhancing our service delivery.

The Shared Learning Model: collaborative and strategic learning alignment 
Our Shared Learning Model (SLM) exemplifies a collaborative and cross-functional approach, bringing together business leaders and learning professionals to closely align development programs with Maximus’ strategic direction. This model fosters a deep-rooted learning culture, enabling employees to fully engage with their personal development journey. By ensuring alignment with our organizational goals, vision, and values, the SLM enables us to adapt and scale our learning initiatives effectively, empowering team members in their professional growth.

Strategically enabling talent through robust talent management 
Our belief is that our future success is linked to the empowerment of our talent, which accelerates our strategic objectives. To achieve this, we focus on attracting, retaining, and nurturing top talent through key talent management components:

Performance management 
We advocate for regular, open, and forward-looking discussions as a means to bolster performance and personal development. In FY23, we revitalized our Performance Management Philosophy, emphasizing ongoing, impactful dialogues that enhance employee experience and growth while focusing on future goals. The introduction of Continuous Performance Management (CPM) in January 2023 marked a significant step, engaging 3,000 employees in a more streamlined and effective approach. CPM’s framework aligns individual goals with team and organizational objectives, fostering a culture of timely feedback and continuous access to developmental resources.Succession and talent planning 
The digitization of our Global Succession and Talent Planning process in FY22 has yielded remarkable results, with a 500% increase in succession planning and talent assessment. This technological advancement simplifies the process, encourages a diverse selection of talent to be considered for future opportunities, and allows us to delve deeper into our talent pool. It ensures role continuity by identifying and recognizing the leadership bench for each identified critical role, reveals potential leaders, and motivates our employees to aim for higher positions while continuing their professional development. Our Learning and Organizational Development initiatives are designed to not only align with our broader organizational goals but also to ensure that employees have the opportunity and resources to grow, thrive, and contribute meaningfully to our collective success.

Elevating training operations for enhanced experience and control 
Elevating training operations for enhanced experience and control In FY23, Maximus took significant strides in improving end-user experiences and bolstering internal system controls. A key focus was on refining the governance of our Learning Management System (LMS). This effort included the establishment of regular LMS system administrator meetings, ensuring a streamlined and cohesive approach between the LMS and its affiliated software partners. The redesign of the internal LMS homepage marked a substantial enhancement, offering a more intuitive user interface that promotes a variety of learning opportunities available to the employee. In parallel, a comprehensive vendor relationship management audit centralized and sharpened our focus on compliance with both internal policies and external regulations.

Cultivating talent through dynamic development initiatives 
The past year saw Maximus leverage the Shared Learning Model network to launch and scale an array of programs. These initiatives were meticulously crafted to empower business leaders and functional experts, enhancing their personal and professional effectiveness. The Learning and Organizational Development team, in partnership with SLM, successfully rolled out 14 leadership and professional development programs, directly impacting a substantial number of employees through a blend of instructor-led training classes and webinars.

We also continued our investment in a global learning management system, providing 24/7 access to a diverse range of learning resources. These resources cover a broad spectrum, from digital transformation to customer service, and were extensively utilized by our employees for their professional development.

For emerging leaders, Maximus offers specialized experiences, including a comprehensive New Leader Onboarding program and the Essentials of Leadership Skills series. These programs are designed to ensure new leaders seamlessly integrate into the Maximus culture and acquire foundational management skills essential for their growth trajectory within the company.

Our approach to nurturing experienced leaders encompasses a variety of learning development opportunities, focusing on key areas like effective communication, trust-building, and project management methodologies. These targeted programs are tailored to align with their advanced professional objectives.

The Executive Development Program (EDP), a cornerstone initiative launched in September 2023, offers a personalized learning experience for our senior leaders. This program is an integral part of our leadership succession strategy, designed to equip Maximus’ future leaders with the skills required to navigate and excel in an evolving marketplace. The EDP combines in-person and virtual training elements with a suite of developmental tools like personalized learning plans and professional coaching, reinforcing our commitment to executive leadership development.

Expanding professional growth through tuition and certification support 
In FY23, Maximus announced a forward-thinking tuition reimbursement program, designed to bolster our employees’ professional growth and adaptability in a skill-focused workforce. This program invites employees with over a year of service to engage in higher education, non-degree courses, and professional certifications that resonate with their career aspirations. Unique to this initiative, educational pursuits are not limited to their current roles but extend to any area relevant to Maximus’ services. This approach aims to cultivate an internal skills pipeline, enhancing our service capabilities. The program, launched in October 2023, reflects our commitment to supporting our team members’ continuous learning and career development.

Learn more about Maximus’ dedication to excellence and innovation in the 2023 Sustainability Report.