The Fourth Industrial Revolution

Over the past 2 years I have read several blogs on how technology trends such as mobile, video, cloud based solutions, and big data analytics are allowing businesses to re-invent themselves, or how digital transformation is enabling industries to implement new processes in order to promote digital innovation in a connected world. We even have blogs circulating on how smart buildings are being re-furbished with new technologies in mind to take advantage of the convergence of IT and building automation systems to create spaces that are more productive, responsive, and meet the needs of next generation users and tenants.

With those topics in mind, there is one fundamental theme that tends to be overlooked and that is the rapidly changing requirements for talent, and the increasingly evident gap in digital skills in modern day workplaces. A recent recruitment report by Indeed stated that 6 out of 10 most of the most popular current-day jobs did not exist 10 years ago. The higher paying careers that weren’t mainstream a decade ago include data analysts, user experience managers, mobile application developers, to name a few – all of which are of a digital and technical nature. That being said, it should be noted that it is not only the IT industry that is looking for these skills as almost every other industry is increasingly in search of digital roles to facilitate and support the journey of their digital transformation.

However, similar to the way in which we are re-imagining the industries of retail, healthcare, financial services, property etc with digital capabilities, we also need to rethink the industry of education, including what and how we teach, to help ensure that we are at the forefront of laying the foundations for future generations in the digital world. Below, are a few reasons why?

Generation 2020 workforce.

Generation 2020 (or more commonly know as digital natives) are looking for employment with companies that have embraced the digital revolution and the ones that are taking the necessary steps to be reactive towards new technologies and how they can impact Business growth & sustainability. Anyone born after the mid 90’s does not know a world without computers or the problems faced by waiting 20 minutes for the dial up tone to finish before you could play solitaire. It is this reason why it is so important for Businesses to stay on top of new waves of technology to ensure they are attracting the boldest and brightest young talent. Why else would this Generation choose to work in a company or industry that still operates with a Yellow Pages mindset? And, are we as Seniors doing enough to increase employee engagement within a generation that are more tech savvy than many of their elder counterparts? It is these questions that we should be asking ourselves otherwise we will continue to see the skills gap widen as more and more young people become disillusioned with digitally-stagnate companies.

Laying the foundations and maintaining the digital world.

If we agree for a moment that we find ourselves in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, one that is shaped by the convergence of physical and digital capabilities that are redefining how we learn, live, work, and play, then we also should agree that we will need an infrastructure that supports the digital transformation. Not too dissimilar to how we needed a rail network to support the steam train revolution or the introduction of motorway networks to support the rise of the automotive industry; we now need a digital infrastructure that is secure, sustainable, and scalable. This all starts in the school classroom but more needs to be done to nurture talent as they take a step in the wider World.

Basic technology skills.

We have all become accustomed to learning basic languages from a young age such as English, French & Spanish (Je Suis S?r que vows comprenez). Although this is still very much relevant in today’s teaching curricular I am somewhat at a loss as to why the younger generation are not having enough exposure to the language of the digital age (i.e coding etc). Now this is not relevant to all countries as many Governments have helped lead the charge and as I sit here typing this blog there are many primary and secondary schools around the world exposing youth to IT, digital capabilities, and the basic language of digital. However, in far too many countries, unfortunately, this is not common practice yet. You don’t have to be Mark Zuckerberg or Evan Smith to understand that PC’s and mobile devices have to become integral part of the learning experience from an young age, and coding classes should be made available to our youngest generation as an option until end of Primary and as a core throughout Secondary & A-Levels.

Yes, Government funding is at maximum capacity for education due to the many duelling priorities and de-prioritization of essential programming such as music & art but we need to find a solution to this to ensure continued development of Digital skills. Adding basic technology tutoring to the curriculum should not be a discussion of “or” but rather a discussion of “and”. I personally feel that this is the only way we can update and rethink how, when, and where we teach and learn.

Improving competitiveness and productivity

To improve competitiveness and productivity of a Country and its industries, the academic sector—from nursery to higher education—has to re-invent itself in the digital age by changing what, when, and how they teach. Governments and Academic Institutions CANNOT do this alone. The private sector MUST participate in the transformation of the education system. I believe that it is only when the public and private sector starts to closely collaborate on these issues can that we start aligning talent supply and demand. All of which, will help to create a strategic and sustainable approach that will continue to provide best talent for economies that is being driven by a digital revolution.

On a final note.....

To achieve any of the above it is our responsibility to develop a comprehensive and globally shared view of how technology is affecting our lives and reshaping our economic, social, cultural, and human environments. There really has never been a time of greater promise, or one of greater potential peril. It is incumbent on us all to make sure the former prevails.