Over the past
decade, we have witnessed a significant shift in how the world operates. We
continue to see ground-breaking advancements in technology which are impacting
all aspects of everyday life. From running a business to raising a family,
technology is now playing a leading role in every community, sparking a global
shift in the way society operates.
This phase of
innovation is being referred to as the 'Fourth Industrial Revolution'. Building
on the Third Revolution which focused on using electronics and information
technology to automate production, we are now entering a digital revolution
which is fusing technology into everything we do. The speed and depth of
digital innovation is unparalleled and is disrupting nearly every industry
across the market. As we become more reliant on technology, both personally and
professionally, our approach to everyday activities is inevitably evolving.
The impact of
this shift has become especially evident in consumer behaviour. While
technological advancements are providing unique purchase opportunities, from
drones to the latest smart TV, it is the platform these items are being
purchased on which is crucial. According to a recent study by Pew Research, 79
per cent of today's consumers prefer to make purchases online and these figures
are only set to grow. Looking at the UAE market specifically, global management
consultant AT Kearney estimates that e-commerce will grow at an annual rate of
25 per cent leading up to 2020.
As consumer
behaviour evolves and they are demanding faster, more convenient and
cost-effective services, businesses must quickly adapt to stay ahead of the
curve. Organisations must leverage technology to make every day operations more
efficient. Many are streamlining their processes, implementing new, more
efficient operating systems, and even integrating artificial intelligence (AI)
into their everyday business.
Many
organisations in the UAE have been moving towards digital, in line with the UAE
Vision 2021.
We have also seen
the UAE government take a prominent role in driving technological innovation
and encouraging its residents to go digital. As part of the UAE Vision 2021,
the country is driving digital transformation through innovation, economic
competitiveness and smart initiatives and has also recently appointed an
official Minister of AI.
Of course, this
digital revolution is not about replacing humans with technology, but aligning
them to create an even more powerful workforce. This leads to one key issue
which the digital revolution has sparked: the skills gap. The skillset required
by younger generations to succeed in the workforce is very different than it
was a decade ago. While the younger generations are being educated and getting
their degree, they are not necessarily learning the right tools to be
successful in tomorrow's market.
So, the question
remains: are we providing future generations with the right skills to succeed?
According to a
recent report conducted with YouGov, 49 per cent of UAE respondents believe
there is a skills gap in the market and 26 per cent of Middle East job seekers
claim the educational system doesn't train students on skills which are
relevant in today's workplace. Additionally, according to the World Economic
Forum's 'Future of Jobs' analysis, 21 per cent of core skills required across
all occupations will be different by 2020.
IDC, the global
market intelligence firm, also projected that more than one in three IT positions
will be cloud-related by 2020 and the availability and skill level of cloud
professionals will have a direct impact on business success.
Organisations in
the UAE, as well as globally, must ensure that the current and future workforce
is fully equipped for this digital shift. For future generations, academic
curriculums must integrate digital education into its teachings and, for
current employees, we must provide relevant training to ensure they are able to
grow with the market.
A great example
for us to follow is the UAE's recent launch of the One Million Arab Coders
initiative. The initiative will provide participants with free training in
developing computer codes, in line with achieving the UAE's goals of a future
digital economy. Another example is Microsoft Gulf, who recently launched a
cloud-related training and certification offer for UAE IT professionals which
aims to increase the adoption of new cloud technologies and help participants
advance their technical skills.
Moving forward,
it is crucial that we encourage and empower individuals to stay ahead of the
digital revolution. As the world continues to move towards a digital
marketplace, there is an ongoing need to evolve academic and training
curriculums along with it. To ensure the success of future generations, as well
as our economy, the skills gap must be filled.