It’s time to update your workforce’s tech skills

Tech is the future of work, yet many people lack the necessary skills to take advantage of this.

As recently reported by HR Leader, the future workforce will be dominated by tech, and candidates may need to adopt some of these skills in order to stand out from the crowd when going for a position.

Currently, people don’t seem to realise the potential that tech skills can have on career prospects, with a report from Salesforce claiming that just 10 per cent of workers have in-demand artificial intelligence (AI) skills.

With 98 per cent of employers stating that the shift towards skills-based hiring is a positive for businesses, there could be an increased demand for AI and tech-related skills in the near future.

In fact, 84 per cent of workers globally said that skills are more important than a degree when going for a position.

Meanwhile, 80 per cent of workers claim to use digital skills in their day-to-day work, highlighting the benefit of developing these skills for your career.

Fortunately for employers and workers alike, Salesforce said there is more excitement than fear surrounding the rise of AI and technology in the workplace, showing that investment in skills development is something people are after.

People are seeing the potential these skills could bring, with 40 per cent of respondents listing digital skills as the most important attribute. Similarly, leaders are recognising benefits, with the benefits listed as:

• Increased productivity (47 per cent)
• Better team performance (43 per cent)
• Improved problem-solving capabilities (40 per cent)

Generative AI is one of the latest trends that has some contention in the workplace. As recently reported by HR Leader, a whopping 93 per cent of companies have plans to ban ChatGPT in the workplace in Australia.

Seeing the benefits these systems can bring could be a better way to approach it, however. With talks of “AI anxiety” being an issue for employees, Salesforce’s research paints a different picture.

The report revealed that more workers are excited about the use of AI in the workplace. Fifty-eight per cent said they were keen on utilising AI at work, while 42 per cent were fearful of their job being replaced. Organisations could benefit by embracing this tech and training their workforce to use it.

Most seem to realise this, with 67 per cent of people leaders saying their company is considering ways to utilise generative AI.

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2023 aligns with these feelings, with technology cited as the key driver of business transformation over the next five years.

Eighty-five per cent of organisations noted an increase in adoption of technology. Meanwhile, the adoption of AI specifically saw similar results, with 75 per cent of companies looking to invest in this tech in the next five years.

WEF’s report also revealed that digital platforms and apps are likely to see increased attention, with 86 per cent of companies planning to incorporate these systems into their company over the next five years. Similarly, e-commerce and digital trade are expected to be adopted by 75 per cent at the same time, and technology-based education by 81 per cent.

These results show an overwhelming desire to invest and utilise technology in business processes. If organisations are to remain relevant and efficient, the adoption of tech and AI may be necessary. Upskilling existing employees is a great way to achieve this and bolster your workforce’s capabilities.