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We have been blessed with a wealth of digital technologies in the last two decades. No surprise many of these technologies have contributed to shaping society today. All industries have had to adapt to the new world, but none has been more affected than the employment market.
It’s essential for those responsible for preparing graduates to have a prosperous and bright future to understand the importance of digital in today’s and tomorrow’s job market. This blog explores the impact of digital on professionals, companies, and the job market.
Tech Companies: What You Can Learn
If you examine today’s most prominent companies, you’ll see that they all have digital skills.
Apple, as an innovator, has continued to expand despite fierce competition. Around the end of 2016, Apple experienced a surge in growth and sold 78 million smartphones. This is a 5% increase over the previous year.
IBM is also leading the way in developing innovative technologies, such as IoT (Internet of Things) and cognitive computing.
Digital skills are a must for businesses that want to succeed.
Upgrade your skills, or you will become obsolete
AT&T, one of the world’s largest telecoms, recognized a digital skills shortage within its business. It implemented initiatives to revamp its talent pool, shifting the company from hardware and cables to the internet and cloud.
Randall Stephenson, the CEO of AT&T, is unwavering in his belief that upskilling is essential. He believes that those who don’t receive 5-10 hours of online training each week will become obsolete because of a lack of tech knowledge.
AT&T is not alone in investing in skills development. It happens across industries and sectors. The investment made by AT&T in upskilling its employees shows how vital these skills are for businesses worldwide.
Today’s Professionals require that educators provide their students with skills in demand in the current job market. Digital know-how is no longer an option – it’s necessary for working life.
This presents educators with a vast opportunity to tap into an emerging market.
Increase Enrollment
No one should be surprised that students are eager to learn skills that will improve their employability. You must ensure your institution can provide students with these skills. Students will only accept universities, colleges, and training providers who offer digital courses.
Remember that this is the first group to have grown up using the internet. They are aware that digital technology is the future. By 2030, millennials are expected to make up 75% of the workforce.
Offering the preferred digital courses will increase an educator’s appeal and, in turn, boost enrollment numbers. Modern corporations continue to complain about their difficulty in finding skilled digital workers.
Develop Corporate Relationships
According to a study by the Association of Graduate Recruiters, 87% of employers needed help finding graduates with relevant digital skills to fill open positions. Developing practical digital courses can build relationships with companies that require a highly-skilled digital workforce.
A relationship with successful companies could lead to more funding, better opportunities, and future internships.
Barclays, for example, launched a program to upgrade its employees’ digital skills. The program was developed with City & Guilds, Kineo, an e-learning division that feeds the newest digital. The company was able to upgrade its employees while also allowing them to earn valuable certifications to validate their skills.
The collaboration with an educational institution was instrumental in enhancing employee engagement and enabling them to train more than 10,000 employees. This collaboration helped Barclays become a digitally-savvy business that puts employee learning and development as its core.
How to Contribute to Graduate Success
Educators should know how rewarding it is to see someone succeed. Your institution also benefits when students succeed. Encouraging students to strive for continuous improvement in the digital world is essential. Students who gain digital skills can use their knowledge and earn more than their competitors.
Although many consumers are familiar with the digital skills of major tech companies such as Apple and Google, they are not alone in their increased demand for digital knowledge. According to a study by Robert Waters, every market has seen a rise in the need for digital expertise across marketing and IT. Graduates with the most relevant and immediately applicable skills have more options.
It is essential to update and refine these skills regularly. Regularly editing your skills will demonstrate a motivated and strong work ethic and open more career options. Students interested in the latest digital courses and have their fingers on the pulse will be attracted to educational institutions with the most up-to-date offerings.
The demand for digital skills will continue growing in the next few years. Professionals from all backgrounds will seek out educational institutions offering these courses to ensure their success well into the future.
To ensure that these students are employable and relevant, educators involved in training and higher education must take the necessary steps to prepare their portfolios.
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