When we think about the future, the years 2030 and even 2050 might seem like a far-away place in time. But it’s actually just around the corner. If you are a student who will soon be graduating and entering the world of work or you’re a job seeker who wants to know how work will change in the coming years, then StorsenDigital’s upcoming webinar is perfect for you! Titled “Digital Marketplace – Future of Work – Awareness in Business Process Outsourcing”, our webinar will take place on 20 April 2023. 

You are warmly invited to join three exceptional speakers who will take the stage and guide you through everything you need to know to be as well-prepared as possible. And to give you a taste of what’s to come, we’ve created this blog article giving you hints and tips on what you can expect. Let’s take a closer look.

The future workplace: what factors are driving change?

The future workplace over the next few decades is something that we can already imagine. Although we cannot predict with certainty what the future will hold, a few driving forces will impact what the employment environment will look like. One thing that is easy to assume is that technology will play a much greater role in how work is carried out. But are there any other forces and factors that will shape the future? We think so. 

In particular, and apart from technology like automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence, there are other great tectonic shifts taking place. Yes, we are talking about factors that shape how we work, where we work, as well as the skills, education, and training that we require to work effectively. Demographics, social, and environmental changes are also going to shape how we do work, as will labor flexibility, globalization and glocalization, and many others. 

How will workforce planning today influence the future?

It has never been more important for organizations to plan now for the talent that they will need in the future. Consequently, workforce planning today will shape the workforce of the future. But what steps should organizations be taking to secure the right talent, at the right place, and at the right time? Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Employers must stay abreast of new and developing positions and how these positions will likely be needed in their organizations;
• They will be required to undertake an in-depth audit of their technological needs both now and for the future for every department within the organization; 
• Leaders should be aware of what technology will be able to enhance productivity and performance;
• Leaders and HR specialists should also carry out a job analysis to determine how work is currently done and what technologies can help make current work more efficient in the future;
• Organizations will also need to carry out a skills analysis to determine what future gaps may arise. This could result in reskilling programs that will fill gaps or sourcing new talent where such gaps can’t be filled.
• It will also be crucial to strengthen the employee value proposition. This refers to what employers give employees in exchange for their labor. This will be crucial in order to retain talent in critical roles. 
• There is also a need to go beyond merely attracting and retaining employees. Instead, leaders should emphasize talent pipeline development, reskilling current workers, opting for shorter-term work arrangements, and more in order to create a more dynamic organization. 

Therefore, with all of these workforce planning aspects that leaders and organizations will need to carry out, the talent pool of the future can expect to be retained with retraining and training development opportunities, skills development, more attractive value propositions, greater work flexibility, etc. offered by employers to attract and retain talent that will be vital to their organizational needs.

What permanent technological developments can we expect to see? 

We already mentioned technology as an important driving force of future workforce planning and as part of the way work will be conducted. This means that you – the talent of the future – will need to start being comfortable with technological developments that are shaping economies and lives. What does this mean for you as a student or job seeker? We have identified a couple of important tech developments that you can expect to see as we move forward in the 21st century:

• The rise and development of tech-based personal assistants. This means working with a machine and instructing them using voice to streamline and automate tasks as well as increase efficiency.
• Technological implants and scanners that can help create a more seamless service provision such as in a healthcare setting. 
• You should be prepared for everything being smart, connected, and data-driven while we prepare for jobs that haven’t yet been invented. 
• Perpetual learning will be a critical skill to have as will fluency with the latest technologies.
• The administrative nature of jobs will change as there will be greater flexibility and fluidity as we work with bots and other AI assistants during times that no longer follow the boundaries of the normal nine-to-five work day. 
• The User Experience (UX) will become crucial for organizations and there will be great demand for talent that can deliver on this aspect. This will involve critical skills of effective customer service.

What will future talent look like?

If you are currently on a journey to entering the workforce or you’re already in it but looking for a change, there are some important skills, characteristics, and qualities that you will need to possess to remain competitive and to find the ideal career for yourself. A couple of these include the following:

• You need to be data-literate 
• You need to be comfortable working with AI, machines, and robots
• You need to find your voice to communicate your needs in a productive manner, and
• You will most likely have an interest and commitment to advances in equity and the environment and expect the same from your organization.

Join the webinar and find out more!

Even though we cannot predict with certainty what the future of work will be, we can safely assume that technology, labor flexibility, demographics, and global forces will play an increasing role. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg and this is why we warmly invite you to join our webinar on 20 April 2023 to get truly inspired and position yourself for success in your future career. Everyone is welcome to attend and we guarantee you’ll get a lot of valuable advice and action points from our three incredible speakers. So, save the date and see you then!