15 Apr
17 Sep
We seem to be at a tipping point in history. Just like previous tipping points where we saw the transition from the Agrarian to the Industrial age we are entering a transition to the Digital Age. Previous transitions were accompanied by upheavals to the way society functioned. Work life changed and the requirements for skills and knowledge became different to what preceded the change.
How do we really know we're in a transition? The simple and most obvious sign is related to work. Old jobs are disappearing and some of the skills we have are no longer required. New jobs are being created and not enough people have the skills needed to satisfy the demand.
We are seeing more jobs being automated by smart technology and more jobs requiring fewer people, as machines and software are dramatically increasing productivity.
Ironically, the IT industry was one of the first affected by the transitions taking place. Infrastructure roles had previously represented a large part of IT departments. These are now being outsourced as businesses are moving to cloud based services where infrastructure and software are being provided as a low cost service.
Manufacturing has been changing most rapidly as machines replace people and the ability to do the work is being replaced by the skills in building and maintaining the machines and software programs that run them.
The biggest change will come as more and more white collar jobs become redundant, being replaced by programs that use artificial intelligence to carry out the work cheaply and reliably. Interestingly the tools available to build new software are improving so rapidly that the time to market to develop and test new Applications is decreasing. We are no longer limited by tools but only the imagination and business understanding that creates the opportunity.
As IT professionals, you are in the best position to take advantage of the digital age. If an IT professional can combine technical skills with business understanding then they will be at the vanguard of this change.
In one study it has been postulated that the destruction and creation of jobs also means that the future workforce can expect to have several different careers, as positions are eliminated and new ones replace them, the research found, placing a premium on workers’ ability to adapt to new challenges.
In a recent British study they found that the demand in the future will include people with digital know-how, creativity, entrepreneurship, management and problem-solving skills – all abilities unlikely to be replaced by developments in technology.
According to data compiled by Burning Glass, postings for cyber security jobs grew 74% from 2007 to 2013 - two times faster than other IT positions.
These are some of the 'hot' jobs in demand now and into the future:
Software engineers – applications; Computer support workers; Software engineers systems; Network administrators; Network systems analysts; Desktop publishers; Database administrators; Computer systems analysts; Cyber security specialists.
Above all look for opportunities that combine creativity with analysis.