The changing job landscape
INDUSTRY 4.0: BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ADAPT, OR RISK BECOMING REDUNDANT
New technology introduces new opportunities which will, in turn, create new jobs.
The world as we know it is on the brink of a revolution, driven by emerging technologies that are set to fundamentally alter our lives in unprecedented ways.
This shift to the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), or Industry 4.0, hinges off the increasing pervasiveness of digitisation and this speaks to the way that companies are postioning their businness model and working structures.
As machines become more “intelligent” and capable of learning, they are able to perform more and more tasks. And while this opens up many possibilities, it also means that the job landscape will become a very different place.
As machines take over many mundane, repetitive tasks, some employees will become redundant. Organisations in general, and human resources departments in particular, will need to re-examine the way resources are deployed, and potentially invest in new skills for jobs that currently do not exist.
Automation will make certain jobs redundant
While machines will never entirely replace humans, there are certain jobs that will become redundant thanks to Industry 4.0. This has been the case for each industrial revolution.
As artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics advance, low-level jobs will inevitably be taken over by machines, which are capable of performing these tasks faster and with fewer errors.
Automation not only makes certain tasks faster, it also makes them more cost-effective, particularly those in manufacturing.
Take, for example, the vehicle manufacturing industry which has, with every industrial revolution become increasingly automated. Today, machines are responsible for the majority of the manufacture of vehicles on our roads, which has made cars more affordable and more advanced.
Unfortunately, while automation makes repetitive tasks easier, quicker and cheaper, it also means that people who previously did these jobs will be out of work.
New skills for a new workforce
While jobs will inevitably be lost to machines, others are also created in certain industries where products need to be customised.
For example, in the vehicle manufacturing industry, machines are designed to mass produce standardised components and cars. Labour is still needed for custom features. In addition, humans will still typically be required to operate the machines as well as maintain and repair them.
This means that new technology introduces new opportunities which will, in turn, create new jobs. The challenge for organisations is to acquire the skills re- quired to fulfil these new roles, and Temporary Employment Services (TES) can offer a solution.
Using a TES provider can help organisations with access to a large pool of potential workers with a broad range of skills and experience. The provider’s continuously work to upskill employees to ensure that they can continue to provide effective service, no matter how challenging the employment landscape becomes.
From a local perspective
The world is clearly gearing up for Industry 4.0, and while a number of businesses in South Africa will follow suit, many will lag further behind this trend.
The cost of mechanisation and socioeconomic demands in South Africa mean that businesses may limit their mechanisation efforts and, in turn, minimise the impact of Industry 4.0 on the country.
In terms of socioeconomic pressures, government has a big role to play in the limiting of mechanisation. For instance, job creation plays a major role in the allocation of tenders. Therefore, companies seek to be seen as job creators, rather than to be in the news for large retrenchments.
Businesses who want to remain competitive where tenders are concerned, will chose not to mechanise and are therefore under pressure to increase the productivity of their labour force in order to remain competitive.
A proactive approach is essential
The Industry 4.0 is imminent, and this means that everything is poised for change. Businesses are going to have to adapt, or risk becoming redundant.
From a worker’s perspective, a proactive approach will also stand them in good stead. While certain jobs will be taken over by machines, there will also be a place for humans. However, the working environment is going to become far more demanding and it is going to require far more flexible workers who are well trained and are able to cope with the changing nature of this new, uncertain business world.