According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs report, the necessary core skills for all jobs in South Africa was estimated at 39% change in 2020 compared to what was needed in 2015. It is predicted that around 15 to 20 million young and highly educated individuals will enter the African workforce each year for the next 30 years. If you ask us, we will tell you that’s good news.
LinkedIn reveals that the creative industries, food technologists, 3D designers, and data center workers, as well as care, education, and health workers, are currently popular professions on the continent. Looking ahead, we see promising job growth opportunities in hard and soft infrastructure, green jobs, the ICT sector, and new work formats.
As we move towards a more digital world, professionals who can combine their traditional subject expertise with digital and STEM skills will be in high demand. For instance, digital-mechanical engineers and business operations data analysts who possess a deep understanding of their industry alongside analytical tools will be sought after to quickly adapt business strategies.
Moreover, there will be an increasing need for user interface experts who can ensure a smooth interaction between humans and machines. Looking at the numbers, this is an opportunity for individuals who want to start a career in the tech industry. And in all of these, Brave Achievers is making sure that there is diversity and inclusion at every level of work.
We believe there are talents in Africa who need a platform to learn and show their creativity, and that is exactly what we are working towards. Maybe you have a lot of questions in your mind about the future of work, read on as we talk about the trend and prediction for the next decade.
What is the Future of Work
The way we work is changing rapidly, and it's essential to keep up with the trends and predictions for the next decade. Let us explore some of the most significant changes happening in the world of work and their impact on the design industry.
1. Technological Advancements and Their Impact on Work
Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, and this has major implications for the future of work. The rise of automation and AI is expected to transform the workforce, with estimates suggesting that up to 800 million jobs worldwide could be replaced by automation by 2030.
Recently, the CEO of International Business Machines Corp (IBM), Arvind Krishna told Bloomberg that they expect to pause hiring for roles as roughly 7,800 jobs that could be replaced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the coming years. Read more here.
While this may sound alarming, it's important to remember that new technologies will also create new opportunities for work.
Data and analytics are also becoming increasingly important in the world of work. With more and more data being collected, companies need skilled professionals who can analyze this data to uncover insights and drive decision-making.
Another technological advancement that will have a significant impact on work is the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT refers to the interconnected network of devices and sensors that can collect and share data. We are going to be seeing more wearable technology.
This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we work, from improving workplace safety to enabling remote collaboration. With that being said, learning more about these tools can boost your chance of completing complex projects or giving your users what they want. There is no better time to enroll in YouCreate Africa than now.
2. Remote Work and Its Impact on Design
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the trend towards remote work, and it's unlikely to go away anytime soon. Remote work offers many benefits, including increased flexibility and reduced commuting time. However, it also presents unique challenges for the design industry.
You need to collaborate closely with your clients and team members, and remote work can make this more difficult. As a result, there is a growing need for more intuitive and accessible digital tools and platforms that can facilitate virtual collaboration.
Designing for remote work also requires a new mindset. You need to be more mindful of the user experience and ensure that your designs are accessible to a diverse range of users, including those with disabilities. Let's explore some of the benefits of remote work:
Cost Savings: Remote work is not only more convenient for employees, but it also reduces overhead costs for you. By hiring remote workers, you can save money on office space, utilities, and other costs associated with maintaining a physical workspace.
Access to a Wider Talent Pool: In the past, location was a significant factor when it came to hiring new talent. However, with the rise of remote work, companies are no longer limited to hiring local talent. Instead, you can access a global talent pool, which can be highly beneficial for your businesses.
Increased Productivity: Remote work has also been shown to increase productivity, which can be highly beneficial for you. According to a survey conducted by InVision, a digital product design platform, remote work is becoming increasingly popular among designers. The survey revealed that 71% of designers prefer or strongly prefer working remotely.
Another study by Upwork and Freelancers Union found that freelancers, including designers, who work remotely reported an increase in productivity by 22%, compared to those who worked in traditional office.
Remote workers are often more productive than their office-based counterparts. This may be due to a variety of factors, including reduced distractions and a better work-life balance. Additionally, remote work can often result in a more flexible work schedule, allowing workers to complete tasks during their most productive hours.
3. Human-Centered Design and Its Role in the Future of Work
Human-centered design has been around for a while, but it's more important than ever in the future of work. The approach focuses on designing products and services that meet the needs of users, rather than the needs of the company.
Empathy and user research are critical components of human-centered design. You need to understand the needs, desires, and pain points of users to create products and services that are truly valuable.
Let's talk about some benefits of human-centered design to the future of work:
One of the key benefits of human-centered design is that it can lead to more effective and user-friendly solutions. Once you involve your end-user in the design process, you can create solutions that truly meet the user's needs and solve their problems. This can result in higher levels of user satisfaction and engagement, which can lead to greater adoption and loyalty.
Another advantage of human-centered design is that it can lead to greater innovation. Focus on the needs of the end-user to identify opportunities for improvement and develop new solutions that meet emerging needs. This can lead to new products and services that are more responsive to changing market conditions and customer preferences.
One example of human-centered design in action is the growing trend towards "design sprints." A design sprint is a process for rapidly prototyping and testing new ideas. By bringing together a diverse team of experts and stakeholders, design sprints can lead to more innovative and effective solutions.
4. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Future of Work
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are crucial components of a healthy and thriving work environment. However, the design industry has historically struggled with issues of diversity and inclusion. Today, only 3% of professional designers in the USA identify as Black, despite the pool of talent out there.
As we look towards the future of work, it's clear that DEI will be more important than ever. You need to be mindful of designing for diverse and inclusive audiences, and companies need to prioritize diversity and inclusion in their hiring and management practices.
Some strategies for promoting DEI in design include conducting user research with a diverse range of participants, using inclusive language and imagery in designs, and seeking out diverse perspectives when making design decisions.
Brave Achievers is at the forefront making sure that every hiring process is based on merit. To make this possible, we organize design bootcamps to train and reshape the mindset of every interested individual on what they need to compete on the global stage. And this time around, we are on the lookout for the talent surge in Africa which has already started.
The future of work is rapidly evolving, and the design industry must keep up with the trends and predictions for the next decade.
By embracing new technologies, designing for remote work, prioritizing human-centered design, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, the design industry can continue to drive innovation and make a positive impact on the world.
Conclusion
As we look ahead to the future of work in design, it's clear that we will need to continue to innovate and adapt to the changing landscape. The trends and predictions we've explored above all point to the need for you to be flexible, collaborative, and skilled in a range of areas.
The future of technology in Africa is bright. Africa's tech market is on the verge of significant growth, driven by a rapidly expanding population and a burgeoning middle class. As a result, the continent is positioned to become a major player in the global tech industry.
The design industry will continue to demand innovation, creativity, and adaptability from professionals. With the rise of new technologies and changing consumer behaviors, you must be able to stay ahead of the curve and provide unique and customized solutions to your clients.
But emphasizing the issue of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, Brave Achievers is trying to make sure that everyone is represented in the design world. We offer talented individuals in Africa a learning opportunity to compete for success in their design field.
YouCreate Africa will help you develop your skills and reshape your mind towards the future of work. Our fully funded Bootcamp will help you launch your career in product design, UI/UX, Project Management and Technical Writing. Join us today and be part of the future of work in design!
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