Dive Brief:
- A new Korn Ferry study shows that only 27% of employers polled were re-skilling workers for the new jobs automation would usher in to replace their old jobs. The study also showed that just 23% of employers said they have the skilled talent needed to navigate the Internet of Things (IoT).
- Organizations were better prepared on the security front, with 77% of respondents agreeing that they have programs to prepare employees for their roles in ensuring organization-wide security, and 66% agreeing that everyone in their organization is responsible for security as part of their companies' culture.
- “The technology industry is a mix of old-school, blue chip companies and nimble startups,” said Werner Penk, president of Korn Ferry Global Technology Sector. “And while each organization is different, one thing is clear: the pace of technological change is only going to get faster and for companies in this sector to survive, they need to prepare their talent.”
Dive Insight:
Unless employers are able to re-skill workers for new jobs in preparation for their replacement by automation, organizations will lag behind as technology moves forward. Development opportunities are high on the list of job seekers' preferences in an employer.
Candidates actively look for employers that focus on development, and are often willing to leave a current job for one offering training and a career track. Perhaps employers can develop staff for future jobs related to automation and IA, along with providing general career-advancement training.
The time for preparing employees for their roles in securing their organizations is now. Massive cybersecurity breaches like WannaCry and, more recently, the incident at Equifax, demand that organizations train IT professionals in cybersecurity to protect the workplace immediately. A CompTIA study suggests employers are aware of cyber risks, but aren't proactive enough about preventing them. The skills shortage in this area alone should motivate employers to act.
