It's no longer news that work is changing and is being done differently. In this piece, I will be taking a nose-dive into what the future of work seems like, the trends shaping it, what the new realities are, and what you should do to stay ahead of this surge.
Before we kickstart, let's talk about The Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution can simply be said to be the change process that transitioned human society from an agricultural and handcraft economy to one dominated by machines and manufacturing. These technological changes introduced novel ways of working and living which in turn unnaturally transformed our society. These swells of revolution began in Great Britain in the late 17th century and it was only a matter of time before it began spreading to other corridor of the world. Countries like China and India which are currently at the forefront of industrialization did not indeed begin until the 20th century while the United States and other parts of Western Europe started theirs in the late 19th century.
Firstly, we had Industry 1.0 - The First Industrial Revolution: This began in the 1780s and was characterized by the introduction of machinery, water, and steam engines powering everything from agriculture to textile manufacturing. Before this, life was centered around farming. About 120 years after, in 1900 we transitioned into Industry 2.0 which started with mass production, electricity, and assembly lines. Life started to speed up with several key inventions. Think about the invention of the gasoline engine by Henry Ford in the 20th century, the advanced work on electricity by Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, and JP Morgan, the building of steel plants by Andrew Carnegie, and the boom in oil production by John D. Rockefeller. Along with increasing urbanization, inventions such as electric lighting, radio and telephones transformed the way people lived and communicated.
Then, about 60-70 years after, the third industrial revolution ensued, Industry 3.0 began with the introduction of computers and automation into society. The world switched from analogue to digital and supply chains also became global. This laid the foundation for the fourth industrial revolution which began in the early 2000s. Industry 4.0 gave rise to the evolution of the internet, 3D printing, genetic sequencing, and miniaturized sensors, the world became a global village and the way of work became more digital-driven with cyber-physical systems. Since 2020(post-COVID pandemic) there has been a slow but gradual transition into Industry 5.0 which is the era of Human-Cyber-Physical-Systems(HCPS).
Now that I have given you background knowledge about the Industrial Revolution, it's time to talk about the future of work. This is currently being shaped by two powerful forces:
The growing adoption of artificial intelligence(AI) in the workplace. And,
The global expansion of the workforce.
The Trends Shaping The Future of Work
Over the past few years, the world of work has undergone a significant transformation, and the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated these changes. As we look towards the future, it's clear that the way we work will continue to evolve. In this context, it's crucial to understand the key trends that will shape the future of work. From automation and digitization to changing workforce demographics and new ways of working, there are major trends that are reshaping the workplace. Let's explore these trends and what they mean for the future of work.
New Behaviours
This is shaped by social media and the web, with this communication has become easier, and people can access information on any topic. Social media has created new opportunities for self-expression and identity formation, but it has also led to concerns about negative effects on mental health. Additionally, social media has changed how people engage in social and political causes, as well as how they shop and make purchasing decisions.
Technologies
This is characterized by a shift to cloud collaborative technologies, Big Data, IoT, Blockchain, AI & Machine Learning.
The Millenial Workforce
This refers to individuals born between 1981 and 1996 who are currently entering or have entered the workforce. They are known for valuing work-life balance, flexibility, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. This generation is also highly tech-savvy and comfortable with digital communication and remote work. This workforce is modeled by new attitudes, expectations, and ways of working.
Mobility & Globalization
We now have a workforce that can work from anywhere, at any time, and on any device. Simply put, there are no boundaries!
What are the new realities?
According to a report on the future of work by McKinsey. One in 16 workers may have to switch occupations by 2030.
Job growth will be more concentrated in high-skill jobs like healthcare or science, technology, engineering, and math(STEM), while middle and low-skill jobs(such as food service, production work, or office support roles) will decline.
A few job categories will see more growth than others.
Certain types of jobs will be at risk, for instance, there may be a need for fewer clerks and robotics/AI will be used to process routine paperwork which will bring about a decline in the demand for office workers.
What should you do?
Learn digital skills.
It's imperative to know that the only skill that won't become obsolete is the ability to learn new skills. Work is changing, oh, I meant - it has changed. You should too!
A good place to start is to check e-learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and edX.
Manage change deliberately.
This involves a focus on continuous improvement and learning, staying open-minded, and the sheer willingness to adapt and evolve. The technological and economic landscape is changing rapidly, and there's a need to be up to par.
Build skills for the future workplace.
This involves developing competencies that are likely to be in high demand in the future of work. This includes skills related to emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence as well as soft skills such as creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and adaptability amongst others. Coursera has tons of courses on soft skills and I honestly do think you should check them out.
"In a world as disruptive as ours, coping with stress, catastrophe, and change is quite important as adversity and new challenges become the mainstay of life..."
In conclusion, work has changed and is changing, there's a rise of a new workforce - the 'global workforce' and this comes with new demands and expectations. To remain relevant in a world as fast-paced as ours, you need to embrace the new realities and take practical steps to stay ahead of the curve. I hope this article has been informative and helpful. Don't forget to follow me for more insights and updates on topics around technology, engineering, product development, and business.