Times are changing and so is the workforce. We are currently in the midst of a technological revolution one that is powered by the forces of new and innovative technology, the effects of which are revolutionizing jobs, employment relations, and the education system.
the workforce. We are currently in the midst of a technological revolution one that is powered by the forces of new and innovative technology, the effects of which are revolutionizing jobs, employment relations, and the education system.
Kasriel’s article “What the next 20 years will mean for jobs – and how to prepare”, discusses the occurrence of a full- scale technological revolution in our working lives. Which he briefly illustrates would affect the workforce in the following ways: a surplus of jobs, a lack of qualified employees, and a general increase in freelancing and remote work.
In the past we’ve seen technological turnovers allow for greater growth in the economic sector, and I presume this will still be the case for the future as advancements in technology usually result in greater efficiency and productivity. However, the occurrence of a technological revolution is one that affects every aspect of the labour force whether it be current employees or employers, the government, or future students coming into the work force.
Employee’s will be forced to develop a new skill set in accordance with the demands of emerging technology, while employer’s will alter their expectations of employee’s and set out more complex requirements than they previously did. They will also be forced to provide more extensive training for current and future employees regarding new technological software, programs, etc. Students whom have the opportunity will need to take certain courses or degrees in order to learn these new and crucial skills, such as various computing or programming courses. Lastly, the shift into a more technologically advanced society will require a more educated workforce, thus it will be necessary for the Government to provide more affordable and accessible education.
However, Kasriel’s (2019) account for this although enlightening lacks focus on specific industries and geographical locations, as not all will encounter the same changes, it would bring clarity to be more specific. There is also an absence of discussion regarding the future steps for current employees and employers, whom must also adjust to the new demands and transformations of the workforce.
In order to properly prepare the workforce, there must be certain solutions in order to aid in this transition. In my opinion the most important is a shift in the education system. Post-secondary education must be more affordable and accessible, as it has become increasingly compulsory for employers when hiring and I imagine that It will only become more of a necessity in the future. In addition, there must also be a change in curriculum, focusing more on skill-based knowledge and equipping people with skills that machines do not have such as entrepreneurship.
Additionally, Kasriel (2019) suggested a change of worker protection policies as well as more freedom and flexibility for workers, although I believe these to be important changes and ones that eventually need to be made, I do not believe that they are currently essential for aiding employees in adapting to future expectations.
The workforce is changing, and we need to change with it, what are you going to do?
Works Cited:
Kasriel, Stephane. (2019). What the next 20 years will mean for jobs – and how to prepare. Retrieved From:
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/jobs-of-next-20-years-how-to-prepare/
Further Reading:
https://hbr.org/2007/07/the-next-20-years-how-customer-and-workforce-attitudes-will-evolve
Kristen Maskery's Blog 