The Future of Work – HOW PREPARED ARE WE?

The debate on the extent of job destruction due to automation can be imperfect science, involving a high degree of uncertainty and speculation. Most available evidence, however, highlights a need for policies that can shield specific population groups who are most vulnerable to technological unemployment or skills obsolescence. The ESJ survey data identify that lower-educated males, older workers and those employed in non-standard jobs are typically faced with greater automation risk. Overall, sectors and occupations requiring medium- or lower-level skills are more prone to automation, while professional and interpersonal services provision (such as healthcare or education) are relatively insulated.

Another lesson for policy- makers is that individuals in jobs vulnerable to machine substitution tend to be less aware of such risk. ESJ survey data reveal that, on average, 33% of workers employed in automatable jobs recently experienced new technologies at their workplace, in contrast to 48% of those in low-risk jobs. And it is generally individuals less exposed to robots or digital and AI-related technologies who tend to have negative opinions about the ‘destructive’ nature of technological progress and are less able to adapt to it.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at Skillset and match, issue 13, May 2018