The skills perspective
I received a new study from a global management company on the issue of skill gaps. The study found that about 60 percent of workers feel pressure to improve their skills in order to stay on their jobs or find jobs in other company. More than two-thirds of workers say that updating their skills is their own responsibility but most do not know which skills are needed. Among the unemployed workers, more are confused because they do not know which skills will help them to find employment or which skills are needed in the next few years.
The study found that most workers lack a perspective of the skills that they have. More than half believe that company keeps a record of their skills since they have worked there for many years. Most do not remember what they have. A majority say that their company relies on their experience and not considering specific skills. As long as they are doing a good job, they can maintain their jobs. However, there are changes in the job market today, especially in large global companies. The study found that many companies will conduct an inventory of all the skills that they have to prepare for more competitions in the near future. A career analyst predicts: “Once the skills inventory is done, company will have accurate data on how many workers have the skills that they need and how many have obsolete skills. Many changes will happen. As the global competition is happening with companies expanding their operation all over the world, they will need different types of workers. It will make a lot of people unhappy. There will not be “safe jobs” anymore and people who do not know how to adjust their skills and keep them updated will be eliminated.”
The study found that most workers do not know which skills they need to improve their careers. Almost two-thirds of the workers will have to switch careers due to the changing job market but only few have any idea of the skills they will need. The rest of workers will have to react to whatever comes and that is very uncomfortable due to the uncertainty. The fact is the financial crisis in the U.S in past years and the current issue in the European market will make every company as well as every government to look at their efficiency. As money become scarce, funding is limited so reduction in costs will be a major priority. The study predicts that both private companies and government will turn to information technology (IT) as the way to increase efficiency and reduce costs. It will trigger a massive lay-off of workers all over the world to be replaced by large information systems that can automate business processes. People who work in government offices, shifting papers, or involve in interaction with citizens will be replaced by e-government systems. People who work as secretary, sales, customer interfaces will be replaced by e-commerce and customers relationship management (CRM) systems. The study predicts that most of the jobs in the next ten years will involve the replacement and automation processes which favor workers with information technology skills. The study also indicates that there will be significant shortage of IT skilled workers due to these changes.
The study warns that workers will complain about companies not doing enough to improve their skills or not treating them fairly. There will be demonstrations as what is happening in Greece, Spain and Italy recently. However, private companies are operating on making profits, not taking care of people. As long as they can increase efficiency and reduce costs, things will happen. Of course, it would be nice if every company take time to support their workers to grow their career but that is not the world we live in today. Most companies do not have the time, money, or good sense to do so. It is the workers' responsibility to take care of them.
If you want to ensure your skills are in demand, it is important to stay current with changes in the business world. It is your responsibility to understand which skills that you need to get hired, promoted, or transition to a better jobs. As workers, you cannot rely on your company to support you, you cannot rely on local job market because with globalization, many things will happen and impact every country, every business. If you do not prepare and be ready, you might be in for a big shock. If you are students, it is important to ensure that what you study will be in high demand by understand all the changes in the business world. By knowing what skills are needed, you can prepare for a better career by the time you graduate.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
