New research suggests that as many as 3.3 million young Australians are rethinking their careers post-pandemic, creating a desperate need to rapidly address skills gaps, which is leaving many professionals looking to change careers in need of additional education – and fast.
How does the skills gap affect us? Data from the World Economic Forum reveals that closing the global skills gap could add US$11.5 trillion to global GDP by 2028. There are currently countless leaders needing to transition their careers due to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic or accelerate digital disruption. Clearly, now is the perfect time to identify and fulfil skills gaps with professional development courses that will help you stay competitive or switch industries. Research conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is showing that Australians are lacking the required skills to help the economy get back on track in the wake of COVID-19.
So what skills are in demand? There are various technical skills relevant to industry positions, such as software development and IT operations, which recent reports show have seen a 344% increase in demand between April 2020 and March 2021. There is a general need for programming, Salesforce abilities and project management. Big picture, business leaders say that the skills required of employees are constantly evolving and changing, which is resulting in changing job descriptions. As a result of our technological advancements, opportunities are opening all around for the modern-day employee, creating endless possibilities.
What does this mean for me? A common theme that is appearing in this research, is that employees and employers alike need to be agile. In fact, industry data surfacing in April of 2021 suggests that a high level of employers value agility and critical thinking as an essential skill for employees. Adaptability and strategic thinking are incredibly desirable traits for business leaders to foster a culture of learning and innovation among a team or organisation. Bottom line, change is no stranger to us in 2021, yet being adaptable to that change, is what will help close the skills gap and achieve success.
Dale Carnegie are well versed in delivering results for all kinds of leaders, from the front line employee to the executive team. If you or your team could benefit from training on closing the skills gap or developing your organisation, please contact us on 02 9437 3350 or visit our website www.dalecarnegietraining.com.au