Ramandeep Arora is the Founder at edWisor – an online platform designed to make candidates job ready by providing effective Skill-building through 100% live Case-study based curriculums. edWisor tackles the problem of employability in the industry today. As a leading provider in the Job-Readiness arena, edWisor was created to provide the right skills for candidates to become job-ready in all aspects of Technical and Softskill grooming. Under Ramandeep’s leadership, edWisor has grown by leaps and bounds since 2015, and now with over 40,000+ unique users monthly. In his role, Raman continues to guide the company to new heights and is responsible for providing the direction for its continued growth and development.
Since the turn of the 21st century, a recurrent fear has been that technological change will spawn mass unemployment. Some economists predicted that this would not happen because people would find other jobs. Albeit, possibly after a period of adjustment. By and large, that prediction has proven to be correct. Look at it this way.
If we just rewind the scenario by a decade, jobs regarding Data Science, MEAN Stack, and so on, would have made little to no sense to anyone. However, in less than a decade, we are seeing a gamut of employment opportunities emerging in the said fields as they become increasingly common terms. So, while the fast-paced tech developments can dislocate people from their positions, its ever-evolving nature is also opening new avenues for the IT-skilled workforce. But this does not mean we have nothing to be concerned about.
One may wonder what technology offers to the labor market? And that’s a justified thought. Going by the report of an analysis firm, Oxford Economics, new-age technologies will replace 20 million jobs by 2030. Advancement in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning can replace the workers handling repetitive and laborious tasks. It may result in moving the existing employees to newer departments or could emerge as a threat to their otherwise stable jobs. So how do we deal with this change?
The entire situation brings us two choices. Either try to outperform machines or recognize the power of automation and upskilling. Hence, it is all about adopting the second alternative and adjusting ourselves with the future of workspaces by acquiring the right set of skills to stay relevant.
The present scenario pivots around how we utilize our skillset to interact with technology. It’s regarding what experience and technology can together bring to the table. Even the recruiters are looking for candidates with advanced technical skills along with industry knowledge to ensure they have a futuristic workforce. Companies seem to be increasingly inclined towards hiring younger, tech-savvy employees because they bring new ideas and directions for their businesses. And as a seasoned worker, one has the herculean task to address these motives to prove their biases wrong. Fortunately, we have online learning to our rescue that can address the skilling challenge. But are they enough?
Here are some more reasons why you need to upskill and stay with the times:
Evolution of Computer Science
Let’s look at the relevance of computer science in future workplaces. The current institutional teaching models focus on making students IT literate by equipping them with basic knowledge. Learners may get access to the basic know-how which revolves around writing, formatting, or creating presentation slides using different software. However, their knowledge becomes outmoded the moment a newer version of the software is introduced at the workplace. This is because the present teaching model is driven by the hunger for certification rather than enhancing the skill set. It needs to look beyond the cliché teaching methodologies to arm the learner with a holistic, future-ready skill set and attitude.
According to the World Economic Forum, millions of jobs could be replaced by machines by the year 2025, but many more may be created in data analysis and computer programming. One cannot certainly predict how or when, but it’s crystal-clear that new technologies will create new job opportunities. And we all know that survival is all about possessing the right skill-set at the right time. Isn’t it? This is where one would need to go beyond the boundaries of a traditional education model and look for skill-building courses or training programs. Thankfully, the edtech sector is expediting its efforts to address the skill deficit challenge.
The silver lining is that technology has also paved the way for such programs through e-learning platforms that offer training in various domains to equip the learners with industry-relevant 21st-century skills. While many job roles would require one to be digitally dexterous, skills such as problem-solving, adaptability, critical thinking, and communication will continue to hold their significance. In short, investing in these skills can help build a future-proof portfolio.
Juggling multiple roles at a time
Current trends indicate that we are likely moving from a single career path to a more episodic career, marked by periods of transitions across various industries. As some workforces shrink (particularly in industries like retail or manufacturing), the HR and L&D staff that support them can shrink as well. L&D professionals might find themselves shuffling between internal HR functions and industries they’re less familiar with, or even into the growing gig economy.
All in all, one can only swim against the tide until it puts their career at stake. So, how do we stay ahead of this disruption? The answer lies in continuous learning for a long-term growth and development strategy. It puts you in the best position to avoid getting outdated, saves you from jumping careers, and builds resilience. Additionally, flexibility and curiosity will make you a perfect fit for any department or a position, irrespective of your age. The choice remains simple: adapt or lose. But as ominous as it may sound, there is always a way to keep up with the changing times. All you have to do is explore, upskill, and be on the top of your game.