Are computers, technology and artificial intelligence (AI) threat to employment? We hear of Layoffs and shrinking job market? Job security is a delusion these days. We keep on hearing & reading about layoffs, stiff competition in the job market, new technologies emerging at a rapid rate. So what you knew a couple years ago is no longer good enough. You need to stay relevant in today’s times. In competitive job markets, training and skill up gradation can play a key role in enhancing your career prospects whether it is improving your on-the-job performance or applying for a rewarding opportunity. This article is about understanding that times are changing, how one can stay relevant, How to upgrade skills. Let not learning be a burden on your pocket, now you can learn while you earn.
Understand that Times are changing
Layoffs and shrinking job market
- Are computers, technology and artificial intelligence (AI) threat to employment?
- Is this the end of India’s engineering dream? 800 engineering colleges to shut down in India
- Banking and e-commerce sectors also have decided to reduce their staff as a cost-cutting measure.
Let’s look at Information Technology or IT. IT in India faced challenges not only due to the UK’s exit from the European Union and an unexpected victory for Donald Trump in the US presidential election but also due to automation and shifting investments in digital. More details at Business Standard article Tough 2016 for IT, tougher year ahead.
For India’s export-focused software services sector, it is a tough battle. The Indian IT sector’s growth has witnessed a significant dip. In 2015-16, Infosys grew at 13.3%, however, in 2016-17 Infosys grew at 8.3%. In the current fiscal year, the company is expected to grow between 6.5% and 8.5%.
It is a tough time for employers. Employers are looking at how to deal with new technologies and also assessing the cost side of the business. Experts suggest that the requirement of a number of people may be relatively less, but hiring opportunities will continue with new roles and newer skill requisites to make one relevant to seek a job. An employee with outdated skills, when the company needs to stay far ahead, looks like a perfect choice to reduce the cost, doesn’t he?
If you talk to the employers they complain about lack of good people, “There is a fine line that distinguishes unemployment from unemployability. The problem is not the availability of jobs, but more so the lack of right candidates who fit the bill. What we look for is the ability to pick-up new skills as today you have cloud computing or mobility, but two years from now it could be web or something else. So what we look for is how quickly can a candidate pick-up new skills, gain new context and start delivering. The candidates have strong problem-solving skills, great communication skills and the ability to learn fast.”
Nasscom tried to allay fears of large-scale job losses in the $154 billion industry, said upgrading skillset of the workforce is a must to ensure job losses are contained and remain at low levels. People who grasp specific technologies but can’t quickly learn new ones on their own are the ones who are going to be laid off or whose jobs are going to be outsourced
Need of the Hour: Upgrade Skills
All companies especially leading IT companies to provide training facilities for their employees. But One should understand that the companies cannot provide them with everything;
Everyone wants success in his or her career, but it does not happen by accident or overnight. Those seeking to reach this destination should pay equal emphasis to the journey itself. Perseverance, hard work, training and the habits cultivated, are the path to achieving success and fulfilment that you want in your career.
Consistently upgrading your skills is not just a sign that you’ve gotten more tricks up your sleeve, but also a sign that your learning curve hasn’t yet burned out. It is a sign that your passion and ability to learn new technologies is still up and running, and that builds a sustainable trust about you with your employer
Some of the Top skills needed for IT industry today are
- Data science
- Cloud and distributed computing
- Data visualization
- Mobile development
- User interface design
- Cybersecurity
Top Skills in other domains
- Digital Marketing
- Marketing Analysis
- Becoming an entrepreneur
- Team management &Leadership skills
How to Upgrade Skills
Enhance your skills and stay ahead of the curve is easier said than done. Learning new skill set while balancing your work is demanding. The commute is painful. After a hectic day at work going for classes seem physically daunting. You can explore the many online resources that are available, which encourage learning at your own pace. Doing just any random course is not a good idea; you have to look for a course which has value.
Many organizations like Talentegde bring you a wide range of online courses from the top institutes of the country to help you advance your career. You can Check out their courses here.
Such courses, specializations and degree programs from prestigious institutions offer an incredible opportunity for business and working professionals, woman with a strong penchant to work and budding young entrepreneurs to continue their education while building a career for themselves.
How to upgrade your skills to stay relevant in job market
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The new mantra is the need to re-skill, or be prepared to perish. Staying relevant in today’s industry is not just about mastering a specific set of skills. It is more about taking personal responsibility for learning and adapting which means actively and continuously upgrading your skill, the tech skills, and communication skills. The decision to be or not to be… relevant is in your hands.
What are the challenges you are facing in your job? What are you doing to meet those challenges? Are you upgrading your skills? If yes how?
