How to keep your job…
… FROM BEING STOLEN BY THE ROBOTS!
PRE-CURSOR: This article is aimed at either young people going into their first job, or people worried their job is going to be replaced by automation soon.
With the “robot-lution” on the horizon, many people are worried of the social implications awaiting us. Mass redundancies and workers not being able to work 24h per day are both terms which are often used in scaremongering techniques, but there is a real danger of both of those becoming the truth we live.
In this article, I’m going to share my experiences and opinions on that important topic: How to keep your job.
Firstly,
It’s important to bring your attention to the following thought:
We go through a set of redundancies every time new technology is invented. The man who used to pull the plough up and down the field didn’t complain when they invented the horse drawn plough. The idea is that every round of technological innovation increases the quality of jobs available.
So with that in mind, the following list is going to set out certain mindsets I believe are important to nurture over the coming years, along with some more specific steps you can take.
1. Understand it’s inevitable
This is all about realising that you aren’t the first person who has been in this position. As I eluded to earlier with the reference to the horse drawn plough, there have been many industries already disrupted by automation.
Take car manufacturing, for example. It is now one of the most advanced industries in terms of automation of the production line. But, before this, all jobs were hand done. Those workers had to think of ways to now thrive in the new environment, and not taking the situation personally.
Realising this will help you understand you must learn how to thrive in a new situation, which you can’t prevent.
2. Be open minded
After realising you should not take this situation as personal, it will be of great help to keep and open mind towards what area of industry you may end up working in.
Take HausBots for example. We are revolutionising the construction trade, by automating one of the industries with a large workforce. However, the robots which we create will still need operators, and engineers to design and build the items.
For the greater good of the human race, we would love to help those effected by job loss in our field. As a company, we see these redundancies through the following lense:
It’s not UNEMPLOYMENT, it’s an opportunity for REDEPLOYMENT.
3. Think of secondary jobs
After realising those two first points, you can then start thinking about all the potential jobs which will stem from this situation.
Looking at car manufacturing, as the labour force was taken off the shop floor, many jobs became available in the flourishing supporting supply chains. Employment of the overall system increased by job creation with those who create the new robots, and even maintenance contracts of these robots.
In this situation, I would personally ask the question ‘What jobs could be created in the wider system, caused by XYZ technology?’
4. Learn about the new advances
Now, after number 3 you’re probably thinking ‘Great, Jack, I realise all those things, but how can I possibly just retrain that quick?’
My honest answer is: I haven’t a clue.
But, I can start by listing a few things which I would start doing.
- Find businesses willing to re-train you
As I discussed earlier, HausBots are extremely aware of this potential mass disruption. And so, we are extremely committed to retraining programs, including taking people with no previous experience.
There will always be skills needed in emerging technologies, and we are one of many companies who will retrain you (for free) to do jobs which are in high demand.
The list includes other companies, some giant, some not-so giant. It all starts with a quick Google, and before you know it you’re learning to code!
A great example: https://learning-employment.com/family-man-retrains-land-new-career/?pdf=776
2. Courses and extra learning
Once you’ve decided what skills you would like to learn, there are an abundance of courses, online and physical, which can be enrolled in for little money (sometimes free).
Books, audio books, free online lectures and many more are also available for members of the public to get engaged in. Many universities offer free lectures, which will often give you a certificate afterwards.
3. Focus on jobs which humans are best at
A quick, non-exhaustive, list of jobs which I believe humans will always be better at than computers: critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, how do we communicate and collaborate really well together and how to motivate.
If we focus on improving our abilities which innately make us humans, we can’t go very wrong.
4. Alternative university learning
Many universities offer full degrees on a more flexible basis, and the government actively offers financial support to these people. Night/ Part time courses allow people to stay in some form of work, whilst working towards a degree in their part time.
Another form of formal learning is taking off in America, in the form of MissionU.
6. Start to make your own predictions
Once you feel comfortable, why don’t you start making your own predictions. Who knows when the next big wave of innovation will happen, and by contemplating this in advance, you’ll get yourself a head-start.
Really, this article was less of ‘How do I keep MY job’ and more of ‘How do I keep A job’. I hope you enjoyed it nevertheless!
DISCLAIMER: I am by no means a expert in the area. It is simply my take on the issues our industry faces.
By all means let us know if your opinions differ in the comments below.
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