The US tech industry has been at the forefront of innovation and productivity worldwide, creating unprecedented growth opportunities and helping to streamline operations across different sectors. However, Enate’s recent report on the 2023 Future of Work Playbook highlights the impending crisis the US faces due to the shortage of skilled tech workers. With technological advancements moving at an exponential pace, businesses must prioritize upskilling their workforce to prevent societal disruption caused by job loss and salary disparities.
Importance of Upskilling
The future of work will bring many challenges for businesses, such as the rise of automation and new technologies. Workers who can easily be replaced by machines will face the greatest risk of job loss, while others with unique skills may earn wages above the average. Therefore, upskilling is crucial, and businesses must ensure they have the right talent to maintain their productivity and innovation amidst the ever-changing landscape.
Companies that invest in upskilling their employees can achieve sustainable growth and resilience in the face of disruptions
The rise of automation is seen as the most significant problem contributing to the shortage of skilled tech workers in the US. According to a report, only 20% of the current workforce is set to benefit from automation, which is growing exponentially. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is growing by 25% annually, while Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing by 37.5%, far outpacing the growth in the number of skilled workers. Businesses must find new ways of balancing automation while maintaining employment opportunities for people.
Accountability for a Growing Talent Pool
The burden of growing a talent pool should fall on the company, which should take accountability for continuous learning and increasing inclusion and diversity. Employers should partner with educational institutions to plan training modules for employees in essential areas, offering career path opportunities for skilled technical professionals. This will help employees gain new skills and stay updated on handling emerging technologies.
Methods for Balancing Automation with the Human Workforce
Enate’s report has detailed methods for balancing automation and the human workforce. Employers need to provide their employees with learning opportunities in technical areas such as data analytics, and the ability to work with virtual and collaborative platforms. Companies must find new ways of using automation to embrace new markets, develop products, and achieve operational excellence while still keeping people employed.
Hiring Remote Talent from Overseas
One potential avenue for US employers to pursue is hiring remote talent from overseas. The report highlights that 11% of the global workforce is borderless. Employers can engage remote talent, pay competitive wages, and leverage a diverse pool of technical professionals worldwide. However, it is only possible if the employer is willing to facilitate change, such as working out contracts and developing virtual collaborative platforms.
In conclusion, the shortage of skilled tech workers in the US is an impending crisis that requires urgent action. The adoption of technological advancements in automation and AI must be balanced with conscious efforts to ensure employment for everyone. Employers must take accountability for growing their talent pool through upskilling, increased diversity and inclusion, and partnering with educational institutions. Companies must find new ways of balancing automation while still keeping people employed. Hiring remote talent from overseas is one potential solution for employers in the US, but it requires working out contracts and developing virtual collaborative platforms.
