Lifelong learning part 3
Today there is a phenomenon in the technology: A shortage of skilled technology workers but at the same time, a high number of unemployed technology workers too. Although companies such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon and Apple are having difficulty in hiring qualified workers but according to the 2015 government study, there are many technology workers without jobs. The explanation is technology changes fast, and these companies need people with the latest skills but not workers with obsoleted knowledge.
A technology executive explained: “In technology, either you have the skills that company needs or you don't. If you do not keep up with technology changes, you may not have a job.” Because technology changes fast, workers must continually learn new things to keep their skills up to date. Most technology workers know this, but not many are taking action to keep up. A software engineer complained: “I was in the top position with high salary, but after seven years of working, things changed. I got married, had children, busy with family activities and could not keep up with technology changes. When the company did not need the skills that I had, they fired me. I could not find another job because there is no need for someone with obsolete skills.” A manager explained: “Why would any company hire a person with obsolete skills for a salary of $180,000 when it can hire college graduates for around $80,000? Newly graduates have the latest skills, work harder and stay late to complete the job when workers who have a family like to leave early and do not have the right skills.”
The view in the technology industry today is young graduates have more energy, better skills and more creative than older workers. Although experience is considered necessary but in the industry where things change fast, the job market favors younger workers and is much worse for older workers with some experiences but do not have the latest skills. An executive said: “Having a college degree does not answer the need for the continuous learning of new skills because technological change demands a lifelong learning to keep the job.”
The issue is not many universities focusing on the development of lifelong learning for their students. Many students consider that learning ends after they receive the degree and get a job, and that is why many are regretting now.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
