A Technology - Led Future
With the advent of increased automation and exciting innovations in emerging technology in areas such as blockchain, AI and machine learning, there’s significant concern about the future of work and how existing job opportunities and roles will evolve. A 2019 inquiry by the Foundation for Young Australians found that over 2.3 million young Australians will need significant upskilling in just 10 years, a dire number if we don’t take action in the near future.
We’re at a pivotal time as a society where the traditional model of education and working and retirement is fundamentally flawed for the future.
- Peter Taylor
GM People Capability and Safety, New Zealand Post
To address the challenge of reskilling the workforce to adapt to these changes in the future of work and prevent redundancies, global firm EY has conducted extensive research into strategies and solutions that will equip workers with the soft skills that will soon be in demand. With entrepreneurial skills such as problem-solving, decision making, digital literacy, and analysis increasingly in demand, EY has proposed three key recommendations to help prepare the workforce for coming changes.
1. Government Guidance
Greater clarity around which skills are likely to be in demand, as well as greater communication of insights into how jobs will change is one method to future-proof workers in conjunction with the remaining steps. Those who are aware of the evolution of the working world, are far more likely to be in better stead when it comes to identifying opportunities to develop the soft skills that will be sought after by employers.
2. Transition Foundations
Rapid improvements in technology have meant that companies which fail to recognize the importance of digital literacy and adapting to changing roles are at risk of falling behind. Putting in place the framework for a new generation of work can only help uplift the skills of employees.
3. Self-directed Learning
A primary concern around soft skills is that they are simply difficult to teach. There needs to be greater offerings from the education ecosystem to encourage workers to engage in self-directed learning. Companies like EY have sought to address this issue by introducing opportunities for personalized career development. This is through programs such as ‘EY Badges’, allowing employees to earn digital badges to recognize their development and learning in future focused skills. Additionally, employees also have access to the EY Tech MBA, offered in conjunction with the Hult Business School. EY have also put together an interactive quiz to help you understand which future skills you already possess and to help give you a snapshot of how they may help you in your future career. Take the test here.
The advent of technology is inevitable, but how companies and individuals are preparing for it may make all the difference in supporting people through this evolution.