Dive Brief:
- Salesforce and its "ecosystem of partners" expect to drive the creation of 4.2 million new jobs worldwide between 2019 and 2024, it announced last week.
- According to research from the International Data Corporation (IDC), the jobs created will include some in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, digital-assisted security and those for IoT specialists.
- Despite those projections, the talent gap will pose a significant barrier, according to Salesforce. "The tech skills gap will become a major roadblock for economic growth if we don’t empower everyone — regardless of class, race or gender — to skill up for the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Sarah Franklin, EVP and GM of platform, developers and trailhead at Salesforce, said.
Dive Insight:
While the potential for growth and innovation is present, the tech talent gap continues to vex employers.
As the workplace continues to digitize, it’s estimated one-third of companies lack a transformation plan — a plan that may need to include a mix of hiring and upskilling. After all, it would be impossible for businesses to hire their way out of the skills gap, experts previously told HR Dive. "We're in an ever-receding horizon of knowledge and skills," according to Mike Fenlon, chief people officer at PwC U.S. — so even new grads may not have the skills and knowledge required today.
Instead, upskilling for current employees will be an important piece of the puzzle, Courtney Cook, VP of strategic development at Korn Ferry, previously told HR Dive. "Retaining and developing top internal talent within the organization is critical to long-term growth and sustainability," she said, "while buying talent from outside of the company with specialized skills with immediate impact to transform an agenda or short term is a complementary combination and approach."
