Where are the next skills gaps coming from?
What’s on the horizon?
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) As more work processes become digitized, they become candidates for software that ties processes together and automates them. Gartner predicts the RPA software sector will grow to $2 billion this year. 24 Model drift AI systems need updating or they risk becoming less reliable over time. Model drift occurs when newly generated data influencing an AI looks less like the data it was trained on. (Presumably, the way we work during a pandemic has been generating a lot of data variation.) IT professionals will need to learn to spot and correct for model drift. No code/low code Software that enables building new digital services with minimal coding know-how has mostly been offered to individuals creating unique applications. But as more enterprise applications emerge that allow users to customize and optimize the software they use without the direct support of IT, it will impact the work of L&D.
In our survey, 74% of large firms are likely to hire for IT or technology roles in 2021. Looking further on the horizon, new high-demand skills could emerge, driven by these forces: • Advanced infrastructure and hardware create new roles and specializations such as IoT network architect, 5G engineer, edge computing integrator, cloud security specialist, drone automation engineer or XR content specialist. • Further advances in artificial intelligence and data create new roles and specializations such as automation architect, machine learning analyst, AI ethicist, data scientist or data loss prevention security engineer.
• Digital transformation creates industry transitions using fintech, agtech, edtech, greentech, proptech, etc.
• People skills for an internet context will take on a new importance as distributed teams rely more on remote collaboration. • Health, safety and employee well-being are new priorities since the pandemic. That may lead to new roles devoted to those issues and new subjects that L&D will be responsible for addressing with all workers.
FinOps This is the emerging term for cloud financial
management, which will become more important as cloud services become both significant cost centers and strategic necessities. FinOps specialists tune a company’s cloud resources to minimize expense and maximize the speed and effectiveness of its operations. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) A large number of global companies are operationalizing corporate social responsibility principles by committing to ESG metrics in diversity, pay equity, worker health and social impact. Many ESG plans specify metrics in upskilling, reskilling and retention. As ESG transitions from theory to practice, it could influence how L&D participates in cultivating a corporate culture.
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