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Preparing future workforce for jobs of the future

THE last two years have been unprecedented due to the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gig economy jobs, such as freelancers, riders and Grab drivers, have become common.

The sheer volume of information comes with complexities. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0), for instance, began in 2018 to replace industry 3.0.

IR 4.0 integrates automation and cyber technology and led the way to machine learning; its boon companion, artificial intelligence; autonomous transport; and advanced robotics.

The concept leads on to Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0. These advances transform our way of life, where we can even find robots to do chores in some middle-class homes.

Organisations are forced to change and respond to meet customer and industry demands.

Some social media influencers are famous, while some made their debut as people who wanted to share a bit about themselves as foodies, travellers or fashion divas.

The number of influencers is flourishing. It is a career for most. A lot of time and work go into taking a decent Instagram photo and a compelling YouTube video.

The threat of digital disruption to jobs is also present. The number of labourers is decreasing because their jobs have either become automatated, reshaped or obsolete.

But are things getting better for the workforce because of automation?

The future workforce needs to realign its skill set.

Millennial-generation Malaysians like me have been thriving since primary school because the curriculum prepared us for competition.

The future workforce needs to consider the following actions to confront challenges:

Given the changes in the global supply chain and disappearing jobs, we should never ever assume that people are experts in their career.

The future workforce must be conversant of changes and trends in the industry.

Peter Drucker, an educator and author of business philosophy, said the only skill that will be important in the 21st century is the skill of learning new skills.

Everything else will become obsolete. Spend time learning skills that will advance your profession.

Develop ties with people. Choose your leaders and influencers, and figure out a strategy to contact and mix with them.

Create a networking strategy that promotes business connections to which you can contribute.

To embrace a future career, we must value and improve our agility.

We work in a global world that responds to changes, turmoil and connections worldwide.

Recognise this and apply it to our careers and positions.

The future workforce should foster personalised skills and abilities, learn new things and become more valuable by contributing to the future of work.


The writer is senior lecturer at the Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Perak

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