The future of work - Adapt or?

Last week, I had the honor to join a panel of professionals in working towards decent sustainable jobs for Kenyans in a conversation about the future of work. From our conversations, it was clear that the effects of the global shifts in outlook for the world of work are very much with us even as we work to deliver decent work to many Kenyans. To compete in the changing landscape, it is imperative that we equip our workforce with skills for the future, among others the below.?

Even as we look at the Global view and trends, there exists an opportunity to stimulate demand locally to ensure we maximise on the opportunities locally, and in the African continent. As Africa Rises, so should the people of Africa. However, this will only be made possible by agile approaches to problem solving; ?Innovation, collaboration and the grit to play a central role in the 4IR.

Some overarching trends that are likely to shape the job market globally include:

• Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) expected to continue transforming the workforce, leading to the displacement of certain jobs while creating new opportunities in areas such as AI engineering, robotics, and human-AI collaboration.
• Digitalization: The increasing focus towards digital transformation across industries will create a demand for professionals with skills in areas such as data analysis, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and software development.
• Remote Work and Gig Economy: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work and the gig economy. This trend is likely to continue, leading to a greater emphasis on skills such as remote collaboration, digital communication, and adaptability.
• Outsourcing and Offshoring: Technology has enabled the outsourcing and offshoring of service-related tasks to remote locations with lower Labor costs. This includes customer support, back-office operations, software development, and business process outsourcing (BPO), allowing companies to access specialized skills and scale their operations more efficiently. This trend is bound to increase the demand for skilled labour in different service sectors.
• Green Jobs fuelled by the increasing awareness of climate change and sustainability, influencing a growing demand for professionals in renewable energy, environmental conservation, green technology, and sustainable development.
• Healthcare advancements and Aging Population: driven by an aging population in many countries, there will be a greater need for healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and caregivers, as well as professionals in healthcare technology and gerontology. Similarly, advances in genomics and healthcare technology are expected to drive the growth of personalized and precision medicine, leading to increased demand for genetic counsellors, bioinformaticians, and specialists in personalized healthcare.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Fuelled by technological advancements, sustainability concerns, changing consumer preferences, and demographic shifts. Precision agriculture techniques, such as the use of drones, sensors, GPS technology, and data analytics, will continue to gain prominence. These technologies enable farmers to optimize resource use, increase crop yields, and minimize environmental impact by providing precise insights into soil health, water usage, and crop growth.
• Data Privacy and Security: As many systems, platforms and services are digitised, there is an increasing volume of data being generated and processed, this will influence a growing need for professionals specializing in data privacy, cybersecurity, and compliance to ensure the security and integrity of data.
• Reskilling and Lifelong Learning programs and facilitators driven by the need for workers to workers to adapt and upskill continuously to match the increasing technological advancements through out careers. This will lead to a greater emphasis on reskilling programs, lifelong learning initiatives, and flexible education pathways.
• Creative Industries: driven by digitization, transitions on work trends and increased opportunities for as automation takes over routine tasks, there will be a greater demand for creativity, innovation, and human-centric skills. This will lead to opportunities in creative industries such as design, content creation, arts, and entertainment.
• Social and Emotional Intelligence: As automation becomes more prevalent, skills such as emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal communication will become increasingly important in jobs that involve human interaction, such as counseling, coaching, and customer service

these trends will influence many sectors in Kenya, africa and the world. Strategic positioning, and strategic action towards excelling in the future of work is a priority that cannot be left to change by our economies.