Forbes India – Technology, HR: Creating a future-ready workforce in India

To improve employability and prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow, higher education institutions may also consider inviting industry leaders into classrooms to give them experience. individual and familiarize them with what is expected of the workforce.
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RSince pre-Covid-19 times, countless companies have assumed that not all work can be done without being physically present in the office. However, since the pandemic imposed unexpected circumstances, many offices have made deliberate efforts to develop a culture and environment conducive to remote working. Amid profound transformation, social and economic scenarios have been accelerated by advances in automation and artificial intelligence, and exceptional access to data and computing.

These technologies are impacting nearly every sector of our economy, affecting a wide range of occupations in healthcare, finance, transportation, energy, manufacturing, and more. These innovations have holistically transformed society and are contributing to tremendous prosperity. It has become crucial for authorities and institutes to instill creative thinking in tune with technology in the future workforce. It is imperative that even education institutes focus on improving the structure of the curriculum and synchronizing it with today’s needs. For example; investments, management, required skill set, etc. There is a need for institutes to encourage skill development and incorporate specialization into the course through practical knowledge through workshops, and encourage even more focused industry experience to prepare them for the business world.

To improve employability and prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow, higher education institutions may also consider inviting industry leaders into classrooms to give them experience. individual and familiarize them with what is expected of the workforce. Today, employers seek graduates with problem-solving skills and critical thinking that college leaders and their faculties consistently rank among the most important goals of an undergraduate education. Raising graduation rates doesn’t accomplish much if students aren’t learning something of lasting value. Hence, it becomes imperative for higher education institutes to focus on improving the quality of education. Here are some factors that illustrate the correlation between higher education and work:

Changing the work culture:

As people adapt to new norms and changes that have occurred across geographies, one of the main challenges was to gradually reintegrate the workspace with regards to optimal productivity as well as stability. optimal workplace. Redesigning the workplace and creating a culture of continuous learning must be implemented with a top-down approach, where flexibility is key for both employers and employees. Even the management could start a discussion on new ideas and a new approach to grasping new techniques. Simultaneously, new learning and the promotion of a flexible and innovative spirit could become a future collaborative process.

Skill Optimization:

In these difficult times, companies would focus primarily on optimizing talent and skills. Organizations will need to delegate brand ambassadors and marketers to attract new talent and retain incumbents. Initiatives such as employee engagement strategies, learning techniques, and improving the experience of current employees will provide more ways for employers to retain their top talent and engage and lead by example. to new recruits.

Build/maintain a work-life balance:

Since the pandemic hit, the corporate world has shifted its focus from promoting a “work-centric” culture to a more sensitive “life-centric” mindset. The reality is that “work” will always be part of our “life”. Businesses and organizations have become more aware of the social and emotional aspects of life that meet the social needs of their employees. For example, the introduction of hybrid work from home required people to carefully monitor and understand these aspects, which made remote work possible. With the slow reopening of offices, recruiters can expect pressure to maintain this flexibility, especially from employees who also care for children, the elderly or sick relatives. It is proven that work can be done on separate schedules that best suit employees’ personal preferences and commitments.

The fusion of cognitive thinking and assistive technology:

Students found the sudden transformation from offline classrooms to online classrooms difficult to manage. Initially, it was about the quality of online education, as they weren’t sure what to expect. Engaging with instructors and other students virtually, dealing with academics, and developing social skills with technology as a medium were major challenges. But what they didn’t realize were its benefits: availability, accessibility, convenience and flexibility. Eventually, transforming ways of learning and prioritizing different skill sets became the solution. Unprecedented circumstances have forced the world to embrace technology-enabled learning and working environments. Gradually, people understood the necessity and applicability of learning with technology and its feasibility.

As the challenges continue, this unprecedented situation has transformed the entire education and work ecosystem with an abundance of opportunities to innovate and learn from. The ultimate solution to working in sync with both cultures is the ability to learn and adapt quickly. The ripples of the ongoing pandemic have impacted every spectrum outlook. As hybrid work culture becomes the new norm, the education system must reinvent itself into a progressively digitized and flexible ecosystem that trains employees for the future workplace.

Teacher. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, Welingkar Institute of Development and Management Research at SP Mandali (WeSchool)

[This article has been reproduced with permission from Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool)]