Future Proof
T
here’s an interesting moment
happening in the workforce right
now. While there are still some
‘jobs for life’, there are many people
who have six jobs in their lifetime,
and the workforce also includes people with six
jobs at the same time.
We have this whole mix of needs from talented
people. People are saying “I want to bring my talent
to work, but for me to do my best work, I would like
employers to recognise my needs”.
A new dynamic is coming into play. The industrial
model of ‘9-5 with a few weeks’ holiday’ doesn’t
cut it for a lot of people with skills. Imagine you’re
a keen rock climber: to do your best work for
10 months of the year, you need to be given two
months off to rock climb.
Whether it’s these rock climbers; mothers or
fathers who want to work around the school run;
or freelancers who want the flexibility of the gig
economy – people increasingly expect employers
to accommodate their needs.
And it’s an opportunity for employers to benefit
from a different kind of skilled workforce.
Robots as co-workers
If you take it a step further, I predict robots will
be part of our future workforce. You will have
dependent workers, independent workers, and
there will be robots too, performing tasks that
people are doing today. The definition of
‘workforce’ is going to change.
What is the opportunity for total talent today,
for a client? If I go to any career website, I probably
have the chance to join a graduate scheme or
apply for a full-time role. I might, if I’m lucky, be
able to filter for part-time roles or join some sort of
veteran’s programme; that’s pretty much it.
But to use an analogy, if I go to BMW’s website,
I can buy a series one through to nine. I can even
create my own car. Because BMW says: “If you’re
going to be a customer, I’m going to put all my
opportunities in front of you.”
Issue 2 - 2017
9