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Work - but not as we know it!
Computers, robots, fax machines,
e-mail, the Internet, digital TV....
In the last 50 years we have seen a revolution in technology, in the way we live
and in the way we work.
Traditional ways of working
are disappearing. Old jobs are going and new ones are taking their place.
To be successful in tomorrow’s
competitive job market you need to know what employers will be looking for. Qualifications
are important, but qualifications alone will never guarantee you a job. You also
need the right skills and personal qualities to succeed at work and get on in
life.
How is work changing?
- Fewer low skill jobs, especially
in manufacturing.
- More jobs in ‘customer
service’ industries like call centres.
- More women in the work
force.
- More people able to work
from home because of new office technology like computers and e-mail.
- More flexible, but less
secure, ways of working – fixed-term contracts, temporary and part-time jobs and
self-employment.
- More job changing - fewer
people will stay in exactly the same job throughout their working life.
What are people doing?
Getting transferable skills
These are the ‘generic’
and ‘key’ skills, like communication and team working, which are needed in nearly
all jobs.
Becoming ‘knowledge’ workers
Highly skilled, self-motivated
people, able to produce work of high quality with minimum supervision.
Learning throughout life
Constantly up-dating their
knowledge and skills throughout their working life.
What are employers doing?
‘Downsizing’
Employing
fewer people or not replacing vacant posts.
‘De-layering’
Reducing
the number of supervisors or managers, especially ‘middle’ managers.
‘Job loading’
Increasing
the level of responsibility within jobs and expecting more of people.
‘Outsourcing’
Decreasing
the number of ‘core’ permanent staff and increasing the number of people on temporary
or short-term contracts.
What should I do?
- Make informed choices about
what, how and where to study and train for.
- Get qualified - low skill
jobs are disappearing.
- Know and develop the transferable
skills that employers want.
- Gain relevant work experience.
- Be flexible about job choice
and willing to adapt to new ways of working.
- Plan and manage your career
- don’t leave it to chance.
- Improve your qualifications
and skills throughout your working life.
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