Reskilling and Upskilling: Empowering Career Growth in the Age of Automation

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It’s no secret modern technology has been advancing at lightspeed in the digital era. These advancements don’t just mean you and your peers get more fun gadgets to use. They also serve to benefit businesses across various industries.

One of the greatest technological developments in the last two decades is automation. This technological breakthrough is helping businesses overcome challenges, address resource needs, and achieve milestones previously thought to be impossible. However, organizations need workers who understand this technology and can leverage it to its full potential.

For this reason, workers must continuously focus on reskilling and upskilling amid automation. Let’s examine some key ways for professionals to adapt and thrive in the face of these technological advancements.

What is Automation?

Before delving into the main topic of discussion, it is worth understanding what exactly automation is and why so many businesses are embracing it.

Put simply, automation is the process of designing or programming computer tools or software to perform tasks without requiring a human operator. Many companies began automating repetitive tasks such as data entry when this technology first emerged. However, modern automation tools are capable of completing more complex and varied tasks such as content creation and quality assurance. This versatility makes automation incredibly valuable to any business capable of leveraging it to its full potential.

It is estimated that 74% of businesses already use some form of automation in their operations. The technology is still advancing rapidly, and the automation industry is expected to grow at a rate of 9% per year between 2023 and 2032.

Automation has the ability to enhance a business’s operations, but it also threatens certain jobs. This includes:

Manufacturing jobs
Data entry jobs
Customer service jobs
Jobs in banking and finance
Agriculture jobs

Ways to Reskill and Upskill Amid Automation

Workers in any of the aforementioned fields must focus on reskilling and upskilling amid automation if they want to thrive in this new era. Some ways to do this include:

1. Identify Skills That Are In-Demand

The job market is constantly evolving due to changing industry needs. A role that was overstaffed a decade ago may be understaffed in the present. Identifying such shortages and the in-demand skills they call for is the first step in the reskilling process. You may discover some of these roles during a senior executive job search in NY or by speaking with people from various industries.

If you feel your current role is threatened by automation, you can work on obtaining these in-demand skills and switching to a different role that isn’t as vulnerable.

2. Developing Automation Skills

Another approach is to develop automation-related skills. This form of upskilling makes you more valuable to employers as you can now pitch yourself as someone who can set up and oversee automation in your current role.

This allows you to continue working at your present employer and enjoy a more supervisory role. You should note that developing automation skills does take time, so be sure to start on this upskilling as soon as possible.

3. Expand Your Current Skill Set

Expanding your current skill set is always a great idea at any stage of your career. Many executive headhunters in NY keep an eye out for candidates with wide skill sets because they can add more value to businesses.

One excellent way to expand your skill set significantly is to attend workshops and training programs. These could be workshops and training programs offered by your current employer or by other organizations.

Such workshops and training programs are designed to be completed quickly so you can gain several new skills within a single year.

4. Join Professional Associations

If you’re uncertain about what the future holds when automation takes over, consider joining various professional associations. Industry-specific associations are full of other professionals who are likely in the same boat as you. This gives you an opportunity to learn what their concerns are and understand what solutions may be available.

These associations are also great for networking and seeking advice. Joining them will help you prepare for what’s to come and understand whether there are any other avenues worth pursuing to safeguard your career. You may even be able to find executive jobs with benefits by networking with the right people at these associations.

5. Hire a Mentor

If you’re especially concerned about automation and would like professional guidance, it is worth hiring a mentor such as a career coach. These professionals understand the different ways industries are evolving and can help you understand the different kinds of skills you will need to gain to keep up with these developments.

They can also recommend places or workshops where you can gain these skills. With their guidance, you can get on the right track to safeguard your career in the face of automation.

Final Thoughts

Professionals who wish to survive in the modern workforce must be willing to embrace change. The points described are just a few of the many forms of upskilling amid automation. If you’re interested in hiring executives who are familiar with automation and can leverage it to its full potential at your company, consider reaching out to our consultants at Cochran, Cochran & Yale.

As the premier New York Executive Recruiters, we do our best to help companies with their C-level staffing needs. We currently offer services in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany.