Future Workforce: 4 Things To Expect After The Crisis

COVID-19 has reshaped every aspect of our working lives. And it’s perfectly capable of altering the way we work for good – we can anticipate long-term repercussions on the future workforce. It's predicted that there will be a dramatic change to what tomorrow's staff will expect from their employers and the the types of roles they'll carry out. Here, we outline what you should prepare for...

Increase in automation and digitisation

The use of AI-driven tools and robotics that can perform everyday duties has already increased dramatically during the pandemic. So too has our familiarity with collaboration software such as videoconferencing and file-sharing facilities. That means the current and future workforce will inevitably have a stronger relationship with machines. There's no denying that the adoption of automation and digitisation in the workplace can increase productivity. You may already be digitising your supply chain and customer interactions. But in the years to come, thanks to forward-thinking digital natives, you can expect to accelerate your transformation plans and adopt new technologies much faster than you previously thought possible.

New job opportunities

While automation in the workplace is inevitable, we also expect to see an increase in the number of job opportunities for the future workforce, specifically in health and hygiene, cybersecurity, and data analytics. At present, these roles are vital when it comes to managing, controlling and preventing COVID-19 and its impact on wellbeing and security in the workplace. In future months, the number of new job opportunities are set to increase as companies look for ways to protect their business, even after the crisis.

More flexible homeworking arrangements

Businesses from across the globe have shifted to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. And as many have experienced success working from home, it could become the new norm for the future workforce. At the moment, it’s not yet known whether employees will work from home full-time or how they’ll split their time between there and the office. One thing we do know, however, is that those seeking employment may prefer to work for a business with a physical location, rather than one that operates 100% remotely. If you work in construction or any other role that involves physical interaction, you can expect to see no change.

Greater demand for temporary work

As the number of people who work from home increases, so too will the demand for contractors, gig workers and temporary staff. Following the crisis, the need for personnel to fill vacancies on a short-term basis in areas such as marketing will increase significantly. A McKinsey & Company study suggested that, in the coming yeas, a large percentage of executives expect to use more contractors and temporary employees at their businesses than ever before. Lack of stability in the workplace and uncertainty about how the COVID-19 pandemic will unfold are among the many reasons why companies are prioritising these over full-time employees. If the pandemic is affecting your people-hiring strategy, Cast UK can help. We provide the very best talent, including strategic C-suite hires, interim project managers, ecommerce managers and data analysts. Each of our experienced consultants can match you with professionals that meet your agile business needs, both now and as we head into the future of work. To find out more about how we can support you, contact us on 0333 121 3345 or email hello@castuk.com.