Automation, Digitisation To Affect Careers, Impact Job Security

Rapid technological advancements like automation and digital technologies are set to affect careers of professionals in the coming years and will have a significant impact on job security, a report said.

According to Simplilearn's State of India Technology Skills Report, that compiled inputs from over 9,200 mid-level IT/ITeS professionals, over 60 per cent believe that rapid technology advancements are set to impact their careers by 2017-18.

The World Economic Forum had also revealed that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is in progress and this development is expected to affect millions of jobs over the next 5-10 years.

Around 62 per cent believe that the impact will be due to automation, artificial intelligence and digital technologies, 48 per cent believe the impact will be due to globalisation and changing consumer perceptions, the report that covered professionals working at tier-I & -II companies in Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and Kolkata said.

With regards to digital technologies and its impact on job security, nearly half (49 per cent) believe their job is at risk due to the change introduced by emerging technologies, 32 per cent believe they already have the skills to cope with change brought in by emerging technologies, while 19 per cent of IT professionals think it would not impact their careers.

The impact would be more prominent on low and middle skilled jobs, which are under threat of replacement,
accordingly experts suggest regular up-skilling to improve job prospects.

"More than 50 per cent of IT industry professionals believe that future growth is in emerging and new technology areas like cloud computing, big data, cyber security, data science and mobile and a vast majority of them are keen to upgrade their skills," Simplilearn Chief Business Officer Kashyap Dalal said.

Interestingly, 62 per cent did not invest into learning newer technologies in the last 12 months, however, going forward, more than 35 per cent respondents want to up-skill with online courses over the next 6 months and digital marketing, big data and analytics are some popular domains professionals want to build their skills.

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Automation will shrink jobs in IT but these 10 skill sets can help you stay relevant

India's Information Technology (IT) job market is likely to take an automation hit.

Campus recruitment of graduates across engineering colleges is looking at its first dip since 2009, a time when global recession had led to significant job losses and lower hiring by companies, as companies resort to automation in entry-level coding jobs and look at optimizing their bench strength.

"With clients worldwide tightening their IT spends and the IT industry grasping digital and its nuances, companies are focusing on strengthening their existing workforce while trying to understand what the future will hold in terms of skills, jobs and work. From a one-time training system, IT companies will need to adopt ongoing and sustainable training while incentivising self learning," says Nasscom president R Chandrasekhar.

A US-based research firm HfS Research predicts that India's IT services industry will lose 6.4 lakh 'low-skilled' jobs to automation in the next five years.

By 2021, HfS said that the IT industry worldwide would see a net decrease of 9 per cent in headcount, or about 1.4 million jobs.

"India churns out nearly 16 lakh graduate engineers every year, of which nearly two lakh are absorbed by the IT industry - the largest organized recruiter at the campus," the report states.

Nasscom says fresh hiring in the current financial year may be lower than last year as IT companies are facing pressure on margins, besides focusing on automation of jobs.

"Hiring activity in the year before last was 2.20 lakh (new jobs were created in IT sector). Last year, (FY 2015-16) there were about two lakh additions. This financial year, we are expecting it to be on the lower side of that", says Chandrasekhar.

But all is not that bleak.

Read Also: Engineering campus hiring may fall first time since 2009: Nasscom

The HfS report points that while process-based jobs will perish, the industry will see a 56 per cent increase in high-skilled jobs. High-skilled jobs require creative problem solving, analytics and critical thinking.

So, if you have to stay relevant in the IT sector, there is enough scope. Here are 10 high-skill jobs that will help you stay secure professionally:

> Web production lead

> Product designers and simulation engineers

> Data scientist

> Digital marketing head

> Mobile product development engineers

> Product developers

> Actuary

> Information security analysts

> Research and development engineers

> Quality assurance analysts

The mid-skilled have a chance to upgrade their knowledge quotient.

For the low-skilled, short-term courses in integration and management services, web research and content management can increase their employability quotient.

Till educational institutes revise their courses, one will have to pick up some new skills for better jobs.

(With inputs from ET bureau)

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Outstanding career choice in the fashion industry

There's more to the fashion industry than edgy couture designing. We bring to you some prominent careers options.

The fashion industry is a fast-paced, increasingly complex world that integrates creativity, design, business, and technology. The variety of opportunities in the industry attracts people with many different interests, goals and abilities. Some career fields require artistic creativity and originality, while others require business know-how and management skills.

The word 'fashion' is associated with designing of clothes, but fashion careers exist in the areas of art and design, communication and presentation, as well as in business and technology.

Aspiring fashion designers must be artistic and creative with an eye for colour, texture and pattern, possess good drawing skills, practical skills for producing clothes, be able to communicate ideas through sketches or computer-aided images, work out costs and budgets and, if freelancing, be able to market their own work, negotiate with clients and buyers, as well as handle the business. Entry into the industry without formal training would be difficult, but for those who are very talented and have an exceptionally good portfolio, ambition and perseverance, it may be possible.

Accessory designers conceptualise and create designs for footwear, handbags, ties, belts, hats, gloves, etc., to go with your attire. Jewellery designers are usually categorised under the gem and jewellery industry. Costume designers work mainly for films, television and theatre.Fashion journalists produce editorial copy for fashion magazines, newspapers, websites and television. Fashion photographers conceptualise and shoot photos andor videos to present clothes and accessories in an appealing manner.

Fashion designers mostly work for clothing manufacturers or exporters designing clothes for the mass market. Fashion merchandisers are employed as retail buyers or managers, merchandisers for apparel manufacturers, retailers, design studios, etc. Prospects are currently very bright for those who wish to work in the fashion industry.  -TOI article

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