T

he biggest question of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0): will robots replace humans in the workplace? And if not, what Industry 4.0 skills will essential amidst job automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

AI is making its way into every field, from digital marketing to healthcare systems to improve productivity. The AI or automation market is expected to reach $390 billion by 2025. It will affect businesses, jobs, commerce, and human life.

We know that humans cannot be completely eliminated from the workplace. But, adapting to a machine-led environment requires certain niche skills. 

It is important for employers to identify the skills they need to remain competitive and innovative in the industry. And, proactively train their workforce to meet future needs. 

Alongside this, the adoption of new technologies has accelerated faster than the need for social and emotional skills. This includes the ability to learn new things quickly. And to gain critical reasoning and problem-solving skills that can be applied on the job.

10 skills that will demand employers attention

The World Economic Forum says that the 4th Industrial Revolution will witness the following 10 skills in the workforce to thrive. 

Let us further classify the Industry 4.0 skills into two groups which are going to be most in demand for employers:

I. Self-expertise skills for an individual’s growth

1. Creativity and inventiveness
2. Emotional Intelligence (EI)
3. Analytical or investigative thinking
4. Proactive learning
5. Decision-making ability

II. Co-working skills for the team’s growth

1. Interpersonal communication skills
2. Leadership skills
3. Cultural intelligence to thrive in diversity
4. Technology skills
5. Ability to adapt to change

In this blog, we will discuss the first set of Industry 4.0 skills, i.e., the self-expertise skills for an individual’s growth. 

Creativity and Inventiveness

Machines, like computers, can exceed human algorithmic calculations. But does this mean they outstrip all human capabilities? A machine can execute a defined set of actions with excellent means but it cannot overtake all human capabilities. 

Humans will need to enhance creative thinking and critical reasoning skills. The future workplace will demand individuality, originality, and innovation from workers. To implement continuous improvement processes – new ways of working, new products, and technologies. We can say that this is a major competition for robots.

Emotional Intelligence (EI)

Emotional Quotient (EQ) and cognitive empathy along with social intelligence constitute EI. Having the ability to manage emotions in positive ways to communicate with empathy towards others will relieve stress, defuse conflict and address many workplace challenges.

EQs will be in demand in the future as robots cannot replace this human ability to connect with another human being and pay attention to how the co-workers feel.

Analytical or Investigative Thinking

Critical reasoning and thinking skills sow the seeds of innovation and solutions to complex problems. Analytical thinking using reasoning and logic can solve problems fast and effectively. One can break down complex problems into manageable components.

In critical situations, observation and analyses of information collected from verified resources along with logical reasoning bring out the best possible solutions. 

Also, strong analytic and investigative thinking will help employers navigate the human/machine division of labour.

Proactive Learning 

Proactive and reactive learning are essential implementations in future work to grow. It includes:

• Keeping an open mind to situations
• Suspending immediate judgmental attitude
• Questioning assumptions
• Spreading the right information and technique 
• Examining stored knowledge base

Workers with a growth mindset have better abilities and intelligence to build skills and experience higher achievement. Such people who actively seek new knowledge can take up challenges with greater confidence and learn from mistakes.

Decision-Making Ability

Good decision-making is facilitated by effective and open team communication. The fundamentals of human decision-making will surely be more complex in days to come. No matter how brilliantly the data processing machines provide insights or process information, Innate human Moral Sensibility is still going to be the personnel decision-maker.

After all the menial and mundane tasks performed by technology, higher-level decision-making will still be with humans.

At Certif-ID, we’re helping educational institutes adopt digital transformation. From assisting in curriculum design and automating processes like student enrollment, digital certification and placement, we’re defining the future of work. 

To know more, chat with us here or book an exclusive meeting. 

The next blog post in this series, ‘Coworking skills for the team’s growth’, looks at the effects on the ‘human side’ of tomorrow’s workplace.