Changes in the labor market and the next job

Technology is transforming the way of doing business in all industries. It is also redefining the concept of employment itself, beginning an era in which many human tasks will be relegated to robots, while others based on innovation will emerge.

The consultant McKinsey anticipates that in less than two years the division of labor between people and machines will displace 75 million current positions, while generating 133 million new functions. The trend will grow 10 times in less than a decade: between 400 and 800 million people will lose their jobs due to robotization.

Maximiliano Schellhas, General Director of Staffing of Randstad, tells iProUP that "one in six jobs will cease to exist or will be reconverted," although it clarifies that "other positions or other needs that are still unknown and will require new ones will be generated profiles ".

Artificial intelligence, digitization and robotization are some of the "hot topics" that are triggering profound changes in all companies. Regardless of their size, the human resources sectors wonder what the impact will be on the organization and production lines.

For now, analog, repetitive and mechanical tasks will be replaced by innovative and efficient methods. Customer service in the retail segment will be reduced due to the fierce advance of online stores. And contact centers will cut their spaces as digital communication channels and chatbots become more effective.

"In our business, we seek to make things easier for candidates, companies that require staff and our people, always relying on new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and Big Data. However, there must be the human touch," said Schellhas, and He adds that the key is "leaving analog processes behind."

Labor Market Trends

In Randstad they identify six key points to understand the challenges associated with this scenario. He adds that jobs will arise that will require different skills and also various job formats, but with the "human touch" in the center.

"The unstoppable advance of automation and technology causes a growing concern in the world, putting society and its leaders facing the challenge of climbing the wave of innovation to boost inclusive economic development, while ensuring decent work , a fair salary and adequate social security, "Andrea Ávila, Randstad CEO for Argentina and Uruguay, tells iProUP.

These are some of the conclusions that Randstad came from extensive global research - called "Flexibility @ Work 2019" - that addresses the main challenges.

"The time to get to work is now. Because we are facing a true revolution that combines innovative technologies with profound social changes, which is already shaping the new social contract linked to future work," adds Ávila.

Randstad's team of experts highlights the following key trends to understand the challenges that the labor market is already proposing:

1.- Automation brings new jobs. While the threat of robots and artificial intelligence adds to fear, there is evidence that ensures that technology will not completely replace people. In any case, the jobs that are destroyed will be compensated with the creation of positions linked to innovation. "Despite the fears generated by the advance of digitalization and automation, the machines will be a complement to the human," they explain from the company.

2.- Other profiles will be developed. New jobs will require new and different skills. While the growing demand for STEM skills (acronym in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and digital skills is consolidated, there are signs of an increase in the demand for soft or social skills.

3.- Different work positions will arise. Technology is combined with new attitudes towards employment, giving rise to formats that will not completely replace traditional ones. Rather, they provide an alternative way for the inactive or informal workforce to find areas of development closer to their needs and interests.

4.- The human factor, central and irreplaceable. The challenge for organizations and for HR experts is to ensure that the digitalization of the economy has a positive impact on the market and takes place within a framework of beneficial transition. This involves adopting technology but without losing sight of the human aspect.

5.- The regulatory framework must be redefined. It is essential to rethink the way in which the labor market is organized and support people in the search for decent jobs, which ensure a balance between personal and professional life. Current legislation does not seem to be the most appropriate, as the positions that arise require a look from another perspective and a more comprehensive regulatory framework.

6.- Permanent training will be the norm. The new tools, modalities and job positions emanating from the advancement of digitalization lead workers to acquire other skills to maintain their employability.

A future with outstanding fees

These trends show that times for job transformation are shortened and both employees and employers should adapt as quickly as possible to the needs that the market will raise.

"In front there is a collaborative future, in which the next generations will not want to spend a lifetime in the same company," adds Schellhas. In this sense, he tells iProUP that the development of "hard" (technical) skills is being worked intensively, but that "soft" (social) skills are also very much required by companies.

"The possibility of working in teams, emotional intelligence and resilience, to name a few, are increasingly demanded by firms," he says. Faced with the future of "platforms", Randstad is moving forward in business models to train candidates in new skills, according to the market and other rules of the game.

In addition, from the consultancy point out that the traditional dependency relationship is giving up space, since more companies seek support outside their resources, outsourcing or opening the game to freelancers. While this model is increasingly common, the main challenge is to generate regulations that ensure fundamental rights.

"For the new world of work, we will have to adapt the legislation in order to take care of employees and think of a regulatory framework that contains them," says Schellhas. However, "platforms go faster than laws," so the challenge is twofold: to accompany workers' development and regulation.

On this path, some basic rights alternatives are being analyzed, together with the ILO (International Labor Organization), so that the new forms of employment contain a regulatory framework: "This can solve the historical problem with freelancers. And that is where we are going, "concludes Schellas.

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