New Age Technology and Employability

Prof Mrinal Chatterjee

What is New Age Technology (NAT)?

The world of technology is constantly evolving, and new advancements are made that revolutionize the way we live our lives. In recent years, a new age of technology has emerged, characterised by breakthroughs in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, and the internet of things.

Employability

Employability is a set of achievements – skills, understandings and personal attributes – that makes a person more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations, which benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy.

The Problem with Employment in India

It actually is a paradox. Employment opportunities, human resource and required skill- often they do not find one another. As a result, on the one hand there is unemployment and underemployment, on the other there are jobs desperate to find suitable persons.

Unemployment rate in India inched higher to 7.45% in February 2023 from 7.14% in January 2023, taking the total number of unemployed in the country to 33 million compared to 31.5 million in January 2023.

And then there is underemployment, which can be defined as a condition in which workers are employed in less than full-time or regular jobs or insufficient jobs for their training or economic needs. Also, underemployment is a worker’s underuse because a job does not fully utilise the skills of the worker, or leaves the worker idle.

Now see the other side. According to the experts, the employment outlook in India for 2023 is generally positive, with growth expected in several sectors. The IT and ITES sectors are expected to continue to be the major drivers of job growth, with other sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, hospitality and service sector also seeing strong demand for talent.

The root of the problem is EMPLOYABILITY.

Employability remains a big problem in India. As per the World Economic Forum, of the 13 million people who join India’s workforce each year, only one in four management professionals, one in five engineers, and one in 10 graduates are employable. They mostly lack the skills required for the job.

The employability crisis of graduates in India is a strange conundrum because India is a powerhouse when it comes to the available workforce. Consider this: half of the country’s population is below the age of 25.

How can employability be increased?

Increasing employability involves developing a combination of skills, knowledge, experience, and attitudes that make individuals more useful to potential employers/industry.

Here are some strategies to enhance employability:

Skill Development: Identify the skills in demand in your field and work on acquiring or improving them. These could include technical skills, domain knowledge and soft skills (such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving).

Adaptability and Flexibility: Demonstrate adaptability by being open to learning new skills, taking on diverse projects, and adjusting to changes in the industry or job market.

Work Experience: Gain relevant experience through internships, part-time jobs, volunteering, or freelance work. Practical experience enhances your resume and demonstrates your ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world situations.

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Irrespective of the nature and size of a business in which a professional might be employed, there might be several situations when an individual might get stuck in complex, unprecedented situations. Professionals need to have the correct thought process and put them into action swiftly. It is mainly relevant in the context of IT companies, where the challenges are often novel, and the solutions should be quicker.

Communication Skill: Effective communication is essential in almost every job. Work on improving your verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills to convey ideas clearly and collaborate effectively with colleagues. Learn new languages.

New Age technology can be great tools in all these areas; and it can help increase your employability.

New age technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data science, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming industries. As a result, there is a growing demand for individuals skilled in these areas. This creates new opportunities for those with the requisite skills while simultaneously phasing out traditional roles that are becoming automated.

What you need to do

Up skilling and Reskilling: To remain employable in this rapidly evolving landscape, individuals must continuously upskill and reskill themselves. Lifelong learning becomes essential as technologies evolve and new ones emerge. Employers increasingly value candidates who demonstrate adaptability and a willingness to learn new technologies.

Stay updated on industry trends: Keep yourself informed about the latest developments and trends in your industry. Read industry publications, follow thought leaders on social media, and participate in online forums and discussions.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Access to new technologies has lowered barriers to entry for entrepreneurs. Startups leveraging new age technologies have the potential to disrupt industries and create new markets. Entrepreneurial skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability are highly valued in this landscape.

Don’t be scared of freelancing: New age technology platforms have enabled the gig economy to flourish. Freelancing platforms connect employers with independent contractors, offering flexibility for both parties. This trend allows individuals to monetize their skills on a project basis and provides opportunities for those seeking alternative work arrangements.

However, the adoption of new technologies raises ethical considerations around issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and job displacement. You must be aware of the issues concerned.

It is a fact that we have been slow in forging a strong academia-industry linkage for various reasons.

The skill gap has been taken into account by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which recommends training students in vocational skills right from Class VI. It envisions a process where students are trained in job-ready skills, go through internships and gain employment in the future.

The industry has also woken up to address this issue of skill gap. The skill gaps exist as workplace experiences are not part of the skilling programmes. The students need more internships, industry projects, shop floor experiences, industry mentoring, and career sessions by experts. Many of the industries and leading academic institutions are now trying to provide this. The favorable government policies are creating a conducive ecosphere. What is needed are initiative, enthusiasm, commitment, motivation and perseverance.