Sydney Career Coach, Tina Monk, discusses how digital technology is changing workplaces now and in the future and the opportunities that will exist.
Digitalisation is changing the world as we know it. Digital technologies have radically and rapidly changed the way we work and the structure of production, whilst the interaction between humans and machines is being redefined. Digital technologies are driving transformative changes in every industry as organisations adopt these technologies to redefine how they create, deliver, and capture value.
The future of work in a digital world
The world of work is in a state of flux, which is causing considerable anxiety—and with good reason. There is a growing polarisation of labour market opportunities between high- and low-skilled jobs, unemployment and underemployment especially among young people, stagnating incomes for a large proportion of households, and income inequality.
Many activities that workers carry out today have the potential to be automated. At the same time, job-matching sites such as LinkedIn are changing and expanding the way individuals look for work, and companies identify and recruit talent. Independent workers are increasingly choosing to offer their services on digital platforms including Upwork, Uber, and Etsy and, in the process, challenging conventional ideas about how and where work is undertaken.
How will technology affect people without skills in the future?
Digital technology can support innovation and improve our lives but it also poses a major risk of widening social inequality and blocking opportunities for people without the skills to navigate the online world. Educational systems have not kept up with the changing nature of work, resulting in many employers saying they cannot find enough workers with the skills they need.
The career landscape is changing rapidly and one of the biggest contributors to change is the digital transformation of today’s world. Automation will, if it hasn’t already, replace many more jobs that are centred on routine tasks. On the other hand, this will make roles requiring the human touch, creativity or strategic thinking even more important, and the skill sets required for such roles to be broader and well rounded.
Disruption in the workplace provides opportunities as well as challenges
New technologies have the potential to upend much of what we know about the way people work. However, disruption is an opportunity as well as a challenge—given the promise of digital talent platforms and new options for independent work, for example.
Even while technologies replace some jobs, they are creating new work in industries that most of us cannot even imagine, and new ways to generate income. Digital technology also can enable new forms of entrepreneurial activity. Workers in small businesses, and self-employed occupations, can benefit from higher income-earning opportunities.
The need for digital knowledge can prove challenging for employees, from fear of not keeping up with trends and developments, to job losses as a result of automation and disruption due to new competitors. We should stop looking at digitalisation as a threat. For each one of us, the challenge lies in identifying and honing our talents.
Some may find this scary or intimidating, but it’s also fascinating to see what future job titles and disciplines might be.
Digital transformation is not about technology
To be able to use software and other technological solutions, you should always educate yourself further. Be happy when your boss sends you on further training. If he doesn’t think that’s necessary, you should proactively try to get further education.
As a manager or entrepreneur, you should also be concerned about training your employees. Talk to them about it and organise exciting training courses that will help your employees and your company move forward.
Career counselling can help you deal with digital transformation and changes in the workplace
Dealing with new technology requires curiosity on your part. Sydney Career Coaching will assist you in learning the best way to engage in digital services and develop an action plan, which will benefit both your private and business life.
Career counselling is for you, at any stage of your career, if you are unhappy in your current job and would like to discover your personal style, strengths, skills and interests and match them to the market place so that you end up with a truly satisfying role.
We will work with you to help you find your unique personal style, the best work environment, your interests, skills and strengths for that perfect career. As trained and professional career consultants, we will help you with short and long-term career planning whether you want to start a career, improve a current one, or make a complete career change. Our proven approach and strategies ensure success in all areas of your personal and professional life.
Take advantage of our complimentary career coaching session to determine whether coaching is for you. We provide career coaching advice throughout Australia remotely, over the telephone and in person at Neutral Bay on Sydney’s North Shore.