Some months ago the president of the United States– Donald Trump – signed an executive order to emphasize skills over academic degrees for federal government jobs, except for highly specialized positions like medicine and law.
Before that, major companies like Google, Apple, Tesla, Ernst & Young, and other top companies publicly acknowledged to no longer consider a university degree as a prerequisite for hiring. These companies hire candidates based on their skills, experience, and ability to adapt and innovate. Many companies are already following a similar path. The reality is that, whether anyone likes it or not, certificates are becoming less valuable in the present job market. And this is likely to continue into the future.
For the remaining part of this video, let’s look at 9 interesting ways jobs are changing and how you can use this knowledge to your advantage. Before get to it, I’ll like to invite you to subscribe to After School TV for more insightful videos like this.
1. Certificate is becoming less valuable
Many countries of the world today are still practicing the education system designed for the 2nd industrial revolution; whereas the world is catching up on the 4th industrial revolution. People and organizations are beginning to reconsider the idea of spending the first 23 years of their life on formal education. The formal education system of today is no longer serving the job market and industries adequately. As a result, people are beginning to seek alternative forms of learning.
Online courses and apprenticeships are becoming more popular. Education companies are springing up to create bespoke learning experiences. Some large organizations are even creating their own universities and training centers to equip their staff with relevant skills.
So what should you do? The job market functions on demand and supply. If demand in the job market is trending towards skills and away from academic performance, the smart thing to do to compete favorably is to channel your energy towards developing the right skills; whether you have a certificate or not.
2. Africa can potentially hold the largest global work force
From 1950 to 2010, sub-Saharan Africa grew by over 360%; from 186 million to 856 million. In comparison, Europe only increased by 35% within this period. The proportion of the world’s young people between the ages of 12-24 years living in Africa is expected to rise from 18 percent in 2012 to 28 percent by 2040, while the shares of all other regions are expected to decline.
Depending on how this population surge is handled, it can become Africans greatest asset or its worst nightmare. The decline of young people in other parts of the world will create demand for young people across other regions. If Africa plays its part well enough, it will be in a good position to export its young talents across the world. In other words, the future is bright for the skilled African workforce. We just have to get it right.
3. Creativity is now Major Job requirement
With the wide spread use of digital media, people are now hungrier than ever to see new things. They are quick to get bored and desperately need their imagination stimulated. As a result, creative thinking skill is becoming even more important in jobs of the present and future. In a world where most people conform to the norm and play it safe, people who have the ability to express their creative thinking skills will be at the top of the workforce.
4. Most physical work will be Automated
Since Amazon made a wave with the launch of its Amazon Air drone delivery services, a few years ago, the list of businesses using drones has been growing as we speak; from delivering blood for blood tests during the COVID-19 outbreak to diffusing bombs. It’s not only delivery services that are under threat from automation. Customer service, banking service, military, manufacturing lines are all undergoing intense innovation towards automation as we speak. This is why the real jobs of the future will depend more on creative skills.
Before you say, “well, my country is still developing. This is not related to us”, think about this. In the early days of internet technology, would you have imagined the impact the technology would have on the African continent? The world is fast becoming a global village. And what applies to one, will eventually apply to all.
5. Technology Will Go beyond What we know today
If someone in a coma for the past 20 years should wake up today, he might faint from not recognizing the world he’ll meet today; much credit to the internet, telecom, and other nascent technologies. Now, think about how much would have changed in the next 2 decades. Get ready for new kinds of jobs and life-changing techs from artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, 5G network, driverless cars, flying drones, and more to come.
6. Data Science and Cyber Security will be a bigger deal
With your smartphone and internet activities, someone can tell your life story. From where you go, to who you interact with, what you buy, your health, how you make and spend money. This data collected from billions of people across the world, every day, is BIG DATA. This means that organizations with access to such information can predict your next move. It also means more jobs for people in Data related-fields.
On the other hand, when power is concentrated in few places, it’s bound to attract greater corruption. That is why systems of government where power is concentrated among a few people tend to attract stronger and, sometimes, a bloody competition to acquire such positions. With cloud computing and as companies continue to acquire more power through the data they accumulate, there will be more incentives for cyber attackers and hackers to gain access to such databases. This is why there is an increasing demand in the fields of Cybersecurity.
7. Adaptability is becoming More Important than fixed Skills
Often, at the workplace of today, you will need to move from one software application to another to complete a project. If you are proficient in Java, for example, you will encounter other programming languages and applications in the course of your work. If you are a video editor, you will have to cross tools to get desired results. As new technologies continue to enter the market, being skilled in one tool will not be as important as the ability to identify and use the right tool for each specific task.
If you are going to be relevant in your field, you have to be flexible to learn different tools within your industry. There are lots of opportunities, but some of these opportunities require the ability to learn and adapt as you go.
8. New Skills are required but many old skills are still useful
Contrary to the common predictions that technology will take away jobs, and leave people jobless. Many jobs will remain, and many new jobs will be created.
We may not be able to say what new skills will be required in the future, but you can be sure that some present skills can be transferred into these new roles. For example, with the advent of computer applications for typing, typewriters became obsolete. But typists were able to transfer their existing typing skills into working with keyboards. However, they still had to learn how to operate a computer. While some new skills will need to be learned, some old skills will still be useful.
9. Data and Digital Media Will be the new Literacy
We know literacy to be the ability to read and write. Well, literacy is gradually moving towards the ability to use basic technology tools, and communicate with the digital world. Many companies today will not consider hiring you if you are deficient in basic technology skills. This is increasingly becoming a requirement. To stay relevant, you have to be up to date with digital media and data-related skills.
In summary, as jobs continue to evolve, it is important to stay in touch with the market demands and continue updating and adapting your skill sets. If you found this video helpful, like and share it with someone. If you are yet to subscribe to After School Africa, now is a good time for subscribing. Until next time, YOUR SUCCESS MATTERS!
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