20210411_MasterClass Deck

12/04/2021

4th Industrial Revolution Jobs and Skills That Will Drive Sustainable Development Michele Marius ICT Pulse Consulting Limited

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Introduction

• Thanks to the 4 th Industrial Revolution, we are integrating and leveraging technology at an incredible rate • In the workplace, current roles and functions are also changing rapidly • Increasingly, more work activities do not need humans • Globally, there is also a marked focus on Sustainable Development • Although technology can make systems and processes more efficient and effective, it does not automatically foster sustainability

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4 th Industrial Revolution versus Sustainable Development

Image source: Piquels

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4th Industrial Revolution (4IR)

• 4IR, is “ ’cyber-physical systems’ involving entirely new capabilities for people and machines ” – World Economic Forum • Generally, 4IR has been driven by 4 developments • High-speed Internet, AI and automation, big data analytics, and cloud technology • Several benefits of 4IR, including • Increased productivity, efficiency and quality in processes • Greater safety for workers especially in dangerous environments • Enhanced decision making due to use of data-based tools • But, AI and automation will have the biggest impact on workforce and considerable job loss globally

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Sustainable Development (SD)

• “ Development that fulfils the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs ” – UNESCO • Some countries have their own SD plans; others are being guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development • Regardless of the SDG, there is scope for tech – via the 4IR – to support the world realising SD

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SD versus 4IR

Pillars of SD • Human – maintaining and improving the human capital in society • Social – preserving social capital and fabric of our societies • Economic – maintaining wealth and improving standard of living • Environmental – protecting the environment to improve human welfare

Potential Consequences of 4IR • Human – increasing inequality, esp. gender inequality • Social – widening of the digital divide, fragmentation, social unrest • Economic – job loss; increasing poverty; declining standard of living • Environmental – increasing pollution; minerals/resources depletion; e-waste

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Key Work and Workplace Trends

Image credit: Gerd Altmann (Pixabay)

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Many Workplace Trends are Interrelated

Remote Work

Workplace Resilience

Performance Monitoring

Tech Integration

Flexitime

Hybrid Work

Automation/ Robotics

Flexible Hiring/HRM

Gig Work

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The Job Market of Today and the Future • Position titles and roles may remain the same, but tasks will change • Jobs, functions, skills are being shaped by: automation and technology integration; robotics; big data; etc. • Almost regardless of the job or function, increasingly technology will be integrated into it • Repetitive/predictable tasks are being automated • Dangerous and/or labour-intensive tasks are being given to robots • But humans still required for critical thinking, social and cognitive skills, complex reasoning and perception

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Jobs/Industries Poised For Growth

IT/ICT Professionals •Computer Engineers •Security •Software Developers •Data Analysts, etc.

Healthcare/ Welfare •Doctors •Nurses •Childcare Workers •Caregivers, etc. Teachers •Primary School Teachers •Secondary School Teachers •College/University Lecturers •Teacher Aides, etc.

Creative Industry •Artists •Designers •Entertainers, etc.

Construction •Architects; •Engineers •Installation and Repair Workers, etc.

Corporate • Senior Management •Executives

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Crucial Skills, Attitudes, Competencies

Skills • Digital Literacy • Data Analytics • Coding • Project Management

Attitudes • Adaptability/Flexibility

Competencies • Communication • (Virtual) Collaboration • Creativity

• Reskilling/CPD • Self Motivation • Future-focussed

• Problem Solving • Social Intelligence

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Positioning the Caribbean Region

Image credit: Eluj (Pixabay)

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Leveraging Technology (4IR) Towards SD

• There are jobs that are directly connected to SDG areas, e.g. health, environment, education, poverty reduction • If unchecked, 4IR consequences likely to occur • Increased inequality, societal security compromised, greater polarisation, etc. • ICT is already acknowledged as a crucial contributor to realising SD • But SD/SDGs is/are not (always) guiding how technology is evolving and is being used • 4IR tends to be in the driver’s seat, not SD

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How Jobs and Skills Can Drive SD

• It is not the job that drives SD, but the thinking/intentions behind the job • Countries and organisations must be intentional about SD • They must be SD-focussed • SD must be integrated into all ecosystems and processes • SD must be a key pillar of every organisational strategy and culture • SD must be baked into job descriptions, performance appraisals, incentives, etc. • SD will then be managing technology/4IR for the betterment of society

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Any Questions?

Image credit: Gerd Altmann (Pixabay) 15

Thank You!!

Michele Marius ICT Pulse Consulting Limited

Blog: ict-pulse.com FB: facebook.com/ICTPulse Twitter: @ictpulse

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