With the onset of the fourth industrial revolution, a common question that comes to mind is what is the future of work?

The future of work is already here with us. Technology, globalization and other major trends have brought a radical shift to our way of life and work. All these changes raise pertinent questions on what skills are required for future jobs.

The future of jobs is being shaped by two major forces, the expansion of the workforce and artificial intelligence. The significant trends that are likely to shape the jobs for the future include innovation, creativity, technology and global integration among others and the main sectors these trends are likely to cover include but are not limited to technology and big data, health, construction, hospitality, manufacturing, tourism and creative industries.

Many industry observers say that we are currently at the border and crossing over to the 4 industrial revolution. The drivers of change include artificial intelligence, internet of things, machine learning, nanotechnology, robotics, biotechnology and genetics, 3D printing and many more. With this, new job categories will emerge and displace others. The skills-set required in the new occupations will also change and transform where and how people work. While new technologies and automation are now creating new jobs, they demand for new skills and a reduction in the number of people doing some tasks.

Now, these changes are accompanied by an impending skills mismatch with employees and employers lacking the required skills for the emerging jobs. The landscape of the global workforce has changed owing to technological innovations. Employers, institutions both public and private, policy makers and employees’ adaptability to these changes is what will determine their success.

To prevent a new normal with many high-skilled workers and few jobs for low and medium-skilled workers, the current young workforce must be equipped with the skills for the future to keep up with the changing world of jobs.

Special skills required for one to fit well in jobs for the future include communication and collaboration, problem solving, creativity and innovation skills among others. Information, media and technology skills are also critical to offer the next generation power to learn, think, innovate and communicate. It is anticipated that most of the future innovations will be multidisciplinary and therefore this calls for innovative problem-solving techniques and a thirst for invention of revolutionary knowledge.

Repetitive tasks will not be on the job description of employees of the future as technology will make them obsolete. Therefore, the ability to offer solutions to diverse problems will be vital. Digital tools and new technology will call for collaboration and communication skills to be able to communicate effectively be it verbal, written, visually or digitally.

Some of the jobs likely to be replaced by Artificial Intelligence in the near future include Telemarketers, Bookkeeping Clerks, Receptionists, Customer Care Specialists, Couriers, Proofreaders., Computer Support Specialists, Market Research Analysts, Salespersons, Accountants, and Security Guards among other professions.

The future of work will be characterized by increased hi-tech systems, global connectivity and multi-national organizations that are more integrated. To achieve all these aspects, there will be need for an entirely new skills-set. The future jobs require high-skilled workers with great specialization in the different areas of jobs.

The future of work trends will revolve around technology and globalization. Technology and innovation will require highly skilled digital workers who are mentally ready to learn new skills continuously. The globalization trend will impact on the future of work in the long-term. Slowly, no country will have monopoly on power, innovation and job creation.

The jobs that are likely to be up for grabs in the near future include data analysts to help make sense of data generated from technological disruptions, specialized sales representatives to sell the new products companies will be offering, new types of organizational development and HR specialists, engineering specialists in nanotechnology, robotics, bio-chemicals, geospatial information systems and industrial designers among others. Administrative and office functions such as customer care functions will become redundant because of mobile internet technology.

In conclusion, in the future work economy, employees will want to work with a company or organization that has purpose, that is fun, creative, innovative and inspires change. People will expect lifelong growth through continuous learning, a hybrid of leaders with innovative and diverse ideas will be in demand and the concept of one job for life will not exist, your skills-set will sell you and one can do more than one job at a go.

While the future of work might not be 100% certain, we must all prepare for a future where machines and robotics become our colleagues. Adapting to the new changes is inevitable if we want to catch up with the future of work.