The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many industries to go online, demanding an increase in digitally skilled individuals
THE pandemic has slowed down the economy and many companies are looking for ways to stay afloat.
Cost-cutting is the common measure taken by most industries to manage resources, resulting in a headcount freeze.
This has affected employment opportunities for job-seekers and fresh graduates. While this is generally true, on the other hand, in any crisis, there are always opportunities.
According to Methodist College's deputy academic director (Future Education) Yap Haw Sim, companies that provide online services are able to capitalise on this crisis, and their sales have shown marked improvement compared to previous years.
"Employment in this sector has thrived and if job-seekers and fresh graduates are competent and skilled in information technology, and in e-commerce and digital technologies, they will likely be employed," he said.
However, having discipline knowledge is not enough. Graduates have to continuously upgrade themselves with digital competencies and skills to remain relevant in today's connected world.
"The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies by companies to stay relevant.
"A good example is the education sector, where lecturers are quick to adopt digital technologies to teach synchronously and video record their lectures to offer asynchronous access to lessons.
"Therefore, the competencies and skills for teaching have changed overnight, and those who cannot adapt to teaching online and utilise digital teaching tools will not be able to thrive in the teaching career," explained Yap.
NEW SKILLS TO ACQUIRE
According to MCKL College's (Penang, Pykett Campus) principal-cum-academic dean Dr Gerard Boey Kong Hoong, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has outlined five in-demand skills clusters for the next decade.
One of the clusters is Tech Baseline Skills, which include information, media and ICT literacy.
"Information literacy is a skill that will allow one to access, evaluate, use and manage information. This is extremely vital in this information age. Media literacy, meanwhile, allows one to access, critically evaluate, and create or manipulate media.
"ICT literacy refers to effective use of digital application and communication tools to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information," he said.
Another skill cluster is Tech Disruptive Skills, which are closely related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution skill sets.
"Data analytics, cloud computing and cybersecurity are some of the core skills which are highly sought-after by employers," he added.
While so much focus is on digital skills, Boey said WEF also pointed out that business skills and soft skills are two more clusters which are equally crucial.
"Job-seekers, fresh graduates or students shall equip themselves with basic marketing skills, especially in digital marketing. Project management, budgeting and business development skills would also boost one's credential," said Boey.
Lastly, regardless of how rapidly the world changes, soft skills cannot be replaced by technology.
"In fact, leadership, communication skills and problem-solving skills are often the determining factors when it comes to the hiring process.
"Any employer would prefer a candidate who is armed with character and competency. With a positive attitude and future skill sets, one can go very far in life," he added.
CHALLENGES
A fixed mindset is always the biggest challenge.
"People tend to stay in their comfort zone. But the comfort zone is a dead zone. What makes us comfortable now will be uncomfortable in the future.
"It is either we stretch ourselves beyond our comfort zone or become obsolete in the job market," said Boey.
"We need to tackle the root if we want to change the fruit. Fear of failure, self-imposed limitation, and unwillingness to learn new skills are common barriers for people," he said.
Methodist College Kuala Lumpur, he said, is offering an International Certification of Digital Literacy (ICDL) to assist learners acquiring tech baseline skills.
"Besides, they can sign up for courses of their interest, which are offered as a micro-credential. The period of study for these short courses is normally between two and six months, depending on the depth of content.
"Learning has become much easier, flexible, accessible and not bounded by geographical factors.
"Many employers are supportive and willing to invest in talent development as well. The only determining factor now is ourselves. If there is a will, there is a way," said Boey.