Future of Work

What is the future of work?

It’s a question that many people are striving to provide answers for right now.

Why? Because massive change is taking place around us with regards to the future of work.

And, this is creating incredible uncertainty, not only for individuals like you and me, but for businesses and industries large and small, and for governments at all levels in every country in the world.

The extent and pace of change caused by the digital and technological revolution is transforming the way we all live and work.

When it comes to trying to predict the future of work, we can no longer use the lens of the past to determine how our jobs and careers are going to change.

Why?  Because traditional jobs and career paths have in themselves changed so much.

Want proof?:

• What job did your grandparents do? Is this still an actual job today? If the job still exists, how has it changed from when they first started working?
• Ask the same question about your parents’ occupations. Has their job remained the same? How many jobs or career changes have they experienced?
• If your parents or grandparents have had job/career changes, how many of them were voluntary rather than forced changes?
• Finally, how has your job changed……..in the past 12 months, 2 years, 5 years or more
• Are you one of the many who already has had the experience of being laid off from your job?

Career – a 20th Century invention

People are often surprised to learn that the idea of a career is basically a 20th Century invention.

Some people in professions (doctors, lawyers and so on) have always had a career path of sorts to follow. Most were self employed running their practices.

However, prior to the agricultural and industrial revolutions the bulk of the population were living in small communities and making their living from the land.

Or……..perhaps they worked at a trade, or as an artisan serving their local community.

The industrial revolution in particular was responsible for the emergence of large corporations and large industrial cities.

Because farming life was transformed by agricultural machinery, people were gradually forced off the land. They migrated to the large cities that developed around new industries to find work in order to feed and clothe themselves.

Large corporations meant that there was a corporate ladder for people to climb……and so the idea of a career and a career path was born.

As a result of this people could use their talents and drive to get a well paying job.   This also meant that people now had the means to enjoy a middle class lifestyle……..because of things like:

• Job security because of the possibility of long term employment with an organisation
• Regular income
• The opportunity to advance in their career
• Access to education and on the job training provided by the employer

In the same way, the digital and technological revolution will provide opportunities for people like you and me.

But……it will require each of us to think differently about what a career is.

Future of Work – A sneak peek

I recently read a very interesting article in the Atlantic Magazine from their July/August 2015 issue entitled: “A World Without Work” by Derek Thompson.

Here is a link to the article. It is both a frightening and fascinating read.

Here’s just a short extract:

“Some economists and technologists have warned that the economy (in the USA) is near a tipping point. When they peer deeply into labor-market data, they see troubling signs, masked for now by a cyclical recovery.

And when they look up from their spreadsheets, they see automation high and low—robots in the operating room and behind the fast-food counter.

They imagine self-driving cars snaking through the streets and Amazon drones dotting the sky, replacing millions of drivers, warehouse stockers, and retail workers.

They observe that the capabilities of machines—already formidable—continue to expand exponentially, while our own (capabilities) remain the same.

And they wonder: Is any job truly safe?“

The short answer to that last question is………most probably not. At least when we think about the possibility that a  job or career path will remain in its present form.

Future of Work – some other predictions

Here is a great video which summarises many of the trends about the future of work that are becoming evident.

It’s from a TED talk given by Chuck Hamilton from IBM Center for Advanced Learning Team.

Some key points about the future of work that I picked up when watching this video:

• The number of people in employment is steadily declining – down from a peak world wide figure of 212 million in 2009 to 197 million in 2012.
• Under-employment is a massive problem – full time jobs as we know them are less available, people will have several jobs with several employers.
• Youth unemployment (15-24 years of age) is also a huge worldwide problem – 74 million unemployed youth in 2012. Students graduating from colleges and universities with degrees that have no jobs.
• More people than ever before are willing to work – there are 4.6 billion people (two thirds of the world’s population) of working age, meaning heaps more competition for the available jobs.
• Technology today – faster, cheaper than ever……..nano, robotics……..replacing what people used to do.

The future of work……and you!

Scary yes……….and exciting too!

Is any job safe? Not really. And if you, or a family member have already had the experience of having a job made redundant you will know the truth of this.

Something else that was mentioned in the video above:

• the need to continually re-invent yourself
• we are in the age of the serial entrepreneur

To keep blindly following the same familiar model of pursuing a predictable job or career, hoping for some stability, or predictability in employment and employer is bound to bite you at some point in the (near?) future.

So what else can you do?

The future of work – opportunity now for alternative career pathways

There are other pathways.

Opportunities exist right now where you are able to take advantage of the digital and technological revolution.

Click Through  if you want access to more information about this.

Future of work – summary

The world of work, traditional jobs and career paths are all changing.

The rate of change is accelerating because of the digital and technological revolution.

If you, or your family haven’t yet been affected by this on the job front, you can almost certainly expect that this will happen in the future – most likely sooner than later.

Perhaps the key messages then in this post are:

• accept that these changes are happening because they are inevitable
• begin the process of re-inventing yourself
• make plans to acquire skills and knowledge to position yourself strongly for the future, and act on those plans
• think outside the box; be open to new ways working in the digital economy so that you are in more control of your future

Till next time,

Best wishes

Anthony