CATALYST Issue 2 | Page 9

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