With the COVID-19-induced lockdown, jobs have shifted gears in the past two years. Hybrid work has turned mainstream, and practically every sector is more dependent on technology. With artificial intelligence (AI) and automation gaining prominence, rapid technological development has caused a decline in the demand for task-oriented employment, influencing many jobs to undergo a complete transformation. This paradigm shift has also called for employers to seek out people with the necessary skills.
A Time to Upskill and Reskill
Upskilling has been critical in the past few years, with new working methods and advancing technologies sweeping the professional gamut. The McKinsey Global Institute predicted that by 2030, 375 million workers — or 14% of the global workforce — would need to change careers or learn new skills due to automation and AI. As the pandemic upturned the job scenario, a recent survey indicated that 87% of executives have experienced or anticipate skill gaps in the workforce. However, not half of the respondents knew how to overcome this challenge. So, every industry professional must adapt to the ever-evolving conditions by making their profiles robust with skills matching the new-age jobs and activities. AI, cloud computing, software engineering, and data analytics have created a potential for new roles, goods, and services — skills that modern-day professionals need to go beyond the ability to work remotely or use AI and automation.
The World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2020 estimates that 50% of all employees will require reskilling by 2025. It also emphasises the following most in-demand skills for the next five years in the post-pandemic period.
1. Digital Literacy
With the way technology has swept over the world, digital literacy (the ability to learn, work, and traverse the digital world in our day-to-day life) is fast becoming a non-negotiable skill. You’ll be on the road to success if you can confidently use technology, software and apps and communicate or collaborate online. To be digitally literate, you can take up plenty of courses and roles, including cutting-edge technologies such as AI, Blockchain, Algorithms Designer, Software Computing, Cloud Computing, etc.
2. Data literacy
It’s one of the most critical business assets today. Organisations prefer people who can collect and know how to use relevant data — extracting meaningful data, interpreting and communicating it, and analysing its relevance and efficacy. Advanced analytics methods such as big data are in great demand and applied to enormous, structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data from various sources and sizes. Analytics in HR is one of the many fields that frequently use Big Data. As a Data Analyst, you can be part of several industries, such as strategic management, retail, pharmaceuticals, civil services, research and development, marketing, sales, and promotion.
3. AR/VR
Numerous industries, including entertainment, education, medicine, manufacturing, etc., have embraced Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to boost their online presence. As the global VR market is estimated to be $5.1 billion by 2023 (SuperData, 2020), AR/VR developers will be in demand, and the technology will fully impact within the next five years. Gain proficiency (or some know-how) in programming languages C++, JAVA and C#, and learn to use 3D tools, including 3D MAX and Autodesk 3D. Audio/video production skills also double up as a developer, support and maintenance professional or take up work in industries like graphics, gaming, and more.
4. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Companies highly value SEO expertise because it’s essential for growing one’s business. You can work as an SEO Analyst, Copywriter, or Digital Marketer and even become an entrepreneur by running your content marketing agency.
5. Project Management
Project management is always in high demand. A project manager holds everything together: planning, scope and scale, execution, delegation, timelines, conclusion, and retrospect and review. While Project Management is part of several Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, you can also consider a six-month-long certificate in Project Management.
6. Video Production and Video Editing
Video content is having a field day of late, with relevance in corporate films, digital marketing, advertising, etc. A Bachelor’s degree in film or media or a production-related field and proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and After Effects are some qualifications besides pre-production, Production and Post-production that will benefit you.
7. User Experience
With the expansion of digital goods and services, user experience has gained prominence. As more than 45% of citizens are online — filing taxes, making payments or connecting – there’s an emphasis on providing them with a memorable experience. All products — apps, games, software or websites — need an appealing User Interface or User Experience (UI-UX) design. Top organisations insist on stunning, solid, seamless, easy-to-understand UI/UX design to ensure product success. Equip yourself with a strong foundation in coding and understanding responsive design, user research and testing, besides knowing how programs work and people think. You can pursue an undergraduate degree in UX/UI after Class 12, regardless of your chosen stream.
Learning is evolving rapidly to ensure it aligns with the changing face of employment. NMIMS Global offers suitable courses and distance education to continue upgrading your work skills.
