How Will the Job Market Change and Why it is Now or Never for Tech Skills
Written by Pius Henry
The 21st Century job market is changing rapidly, and the tech sector is leading the way. In February, McKinsey Global Institute predicted that 45 million Americans — one-quarter of the workforce — would lose their jobs to automation by 2030. In addition, advances in AI (artificial intelligence) mean that software developers are going to be in high demand for their talents as well.
The good news is that the effects of automation and digitisation on the labour market are less of a threat to jobs in Africa than in developed economies. According to McKinsey, employment rates in sub-Saharan Africa are expected to grow by nearly 2% per year between 2015 and 2030.
The bad news is that many people still need to be trained in the new skills required for today’s job market.
Due to rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, the 21st Century Job Market will look very different from what it looks like today.
The job market is changing. In the 21st century, many jobs will be replaced by AI, robotics and other new technologies. At the same time, new jobs will be created, some of which we can’t even imagine today. This will result in a global economy where employment rates are lower than before, but productivity is higher than ever before.
The most important reason why this shift has to happen is that we cannot continue producing goods at a rate that exceeds natural resource limits without destroying our planet.
The good news is that AI and Robotics can help us do more with fewer resources while providing us all with higher standards of living. But the bad news is that this shift will create significant social and economic problems. The first problem is the loss of jobs, especially for those unskilled or working in industries that can be easily automated by AI systems. The second problem is the distribution of wealth: If only a small percentage of people own all the robots, they may use them to further increase their wealth at the expense of everyone else.
Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation, it is becoming increasingly easier for humans to be replaced by machines.
While this may sound like bad news for job seekers, the reality is that it could create many new jobs and opportunities for those equipped with the right skills. Here’s what you need to know about the tech industry’s future:
There’s a global shortage of tech talent, and it will only get worse. A recent global report from Gartner states that IT executives list talent shortages as the most significant barrier to adopting 64% of emerging technologies, ahead of cost and security. This is a staggering increase from only 4% in 2020.
This is largely due to the fact that most of these jobs require some sort of coding ability, and there simply aren’t enough qualified programmers in the world. According to the 20th edition of the State of the Developer Nation report, there were 26.8 million active software developers in the world at the end of 2021
The best way to protect yourself from the future of technological advancement is to develop the skills needed to build or maintain it.
This is because automation will continue, even accelerate, and there will be fewer and fewer jobs for people who don’t have these skills. The human race will not be able to survive without technology. We can’t go back to the Stone Age, so we must adapt and learn new skills. The world is becoming increasingly automated, and those who don’t have the skills needed to build or maintain it will be left behind.
If you are lucky enough to have an opportunity in your chosen field today — whether a job or an internship — take advantage of it and learn as much as possible while you’re there! If not, I would recommend looking into getting some kind of technical training so that when the time comes again (and it will), you’ll be more prepared than ever before.
It’s never too early or late to learn something new. If there’s something specific that interests you now but isn’t available yet at your school/workplace, start online classes immediately!
Conclusion
This is the perfect time to enter the job market. If you have been waiting for the right opportunity, now is the time. There are more jobs than ever before, and many businesses are struggling to find enough skilled workers to fill them. If you want something badly enough, don’t let these obstacles stop you from achieving it!
The Bulb Africa’s career advance program provides young professionals with the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market. We train you in the latest technology and business trends, provide advice on how to develop a strong professional network and help you find the right job for your skillset.