Automation cannot replace human touch

Community services sector to thrive amid workplace revolution, says Glen O’Keefe

THERE is currently a lot of discussion about automation. Its potential impact on jobs is confronting for most of us. Everyone appears to be looking at their careers and asking, ‘Will my job even exist in 5, 10 or 20 years’ time?’. This is understandable, given some experts suggest up to 50 per cent of occupations won’t exist in 20 years’ time. There are emerging occupations being introduced just as quickly as others are disappearing, and as individuals we need to be more adaptable than ever when it comes to our careers.

There may be some degree of job certainty in one sector, community services. Automation just cannot replace the benefits of human interaction, care and personcentered planning. And as our society becomes more fastpaced, competitive and digitally reliant there will be increasing need for community-based services to help individuals and communities thrive.

The community services sector is an area of employment growth and a career in the sector can offer many benefits, such as high levels of job satisfaction, flexibility and ongoing professional and personal development. Mental health, aged care, youth, early intervention and disability services will have significant jobs growth in coming years. An example is the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) through which, over the next three years, 2500 additional jobs will be available in the disability sector in Tasmania alone.

But the sector will not be excluded from considerable change. The NDIS provides us with a window into this future in that it provides greater consumer choice through a market-based system. Government funding for services is no longer provided to organisations, but directly to the client who can choose the services they need and providers they want. This will continue to change the operating environment for organisations and their employees. Organisations are listening more to their consumers and involving them in decision-making on services and models of care.

Employment arrangements are also looking different. Some providers are not directly employing staff, but sub-contracting individuals. Although this can create efficiencies and financial benefits in keeping costs low for the consumer, it may also have a significant impact on career planning and stability.

When it comes to training and qualifications, the community services sector will see an increase in training opportunities and the idea of life-long learning will be an accepted norm. There will most likely be a shift away from full qualifications and individuals will opt into training to best match their expertise or practice.

The challenge over the next 20 years will be to ensure the value of human interaction and relationships is not lost for the benefit of market-driven forces. Relationships and trust between clients and workers will need to be maintained and community services organisations will need to ensure they sub-contract individuals that align strongly to their values and practices.

So, what could a community services role look like in 20 years? It is highly likely you will have your own business, specialising in a particular area. Community services organisations will test your compatibility to their values and mission and then, if aligned, engage your services to support their clients. You will have the flexibility to opt in and of work. Timesheets will become redundant as you will be paid for outcomes and not hours, so you will need to be efficient, outcomes driven and adaptable. The University of Tasmania is holding a public forum at the Stanley Burbury Theatre, Sandy Bay, Tuesday, October 3 on the Future of Work in Tasmania.