Tag: workforce

Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) take our jobs in the future? No. But people who know how to use AI effectively just might. The World Economic Forum predicts this shift, which is why our education system must embrace the opportunities AI offers. We must stop treating new technologies as threats or sources of fear.

Dedicated to supporting small businesses, I have been reflecting on two decades of change since 2005. What do small business owners, and mentors require in 2025 to thrive? What do future-proof business look like, and how can we ensure our programs remain both timely and relevant in an ever-accelerating world?

Back when computers filled entire rooms, diversity was barely a conversation. The gender gap in technology remains significant. According to the Skillsoft 2024 Women in Tech Report, women make up less than a third of the global technology workforce. Currently, only 25% of the industry consists of women, with lower numbers in artificial intelligence (22%) and engineering (28%).

In an increasingly interconnected world, African businesses find themselves uniquely positioned amidst a complex web of economic, political and environmental challenges. From shifting global trade dynamics to environmental imperatives and rapid technological advancements, businesses today must build resilience as a core capability.

Following a challenging 2023, South Africa’s manufacturing sector must prioritise digital transformation, cost reduction and reskilling to drive growth. South Africa boasts a well-developed manufacturing sector. In 2023, the sector in its entirety provided more than 1.6 million jobs and accounted for 13.0% of South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The spotlight shines on the crucial task of empowering and developing the nation’s young workforce. In the fiercely competitive retail landscape, delivering exceptional customer experiences is paramount for building brand loyalty and standing out from the crowd. However, to achieve this critical goal, it is crucial to have a highly skilled and passionately engaged workforce, especially among the youthful employees who represent the industry’s future.

Generation Z, born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, is moving into the workforce and becoming one of the most influential consumer demographics. Retailers will need to adjust their strategies if they are to remain relevant for this highly educated, socially aware and digitally connected cohort.

A new study by our Institute for Business Value found that the surveyed CEOs are facing workforce, culture and regulation challenges as they act quickly to implement and scale generative AI across their organisations.

Emerging technologies must be integrated into learnerships to equip our youth for the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). Equipping our youth with tech-based skills is non-negotiable, and educators must integrate the emerging 4IR technologies into their training programmes. This is the only way that we can prepare our future workforce and ensure that businesses can access the skills they require for global relevance.

Like with most things around us, the global workforce of today is experiencing immense change. Workplaces are transforming at rapid rates, while new generations are entering the workforce and bringing with them a new outlook and work ethic.