The skills necessary for workforces to thrive will be different and broader after the Covid-19 pandemic. Here some changes that may take place.
In order to deal with the new working environment, businesses need to analyze how they can maximize the productivity of the remote workforce. Adopting new processes to support new ways of working and redefining client relationships in an online world will become increasingly important.
There will be a stronger focus on identifying the signs of wellbeing and mental health issues as they arise, as well as addressing these issues. Businesses may need to implement business processes that support employee wellbeing and good mental health.
Ensuring good channels of communication from management to employees as well as between employees will become a stronger focal point. Businesses will need to adopt technology and systems that allow employees to constructively communicate with each other. Communicating issues around job security will be specifically important.
More flexible working arrangements will become normal. However, inexperienced staff members will still need to be able to learn by being in the workplace. It will become increasingly difficult but important to maintain a positive workplace culture in the new workplace environment.
Training priorities will shift to understanding digital skills and employee barriers to acquiring them. More knowledge on employee wellbeing and mental health needs to be introduced. Businesses will need to assess how blended approaches to training can develop the skills.
In order to develop employability skills, early engagement with young people is needed. Businesses need to recognize that not all young people have the same development issues. To attract young people to the workplace, businesses need to recognize what they want from the workplace.
