One in three workers expect some tasks to be automated soon

Workers are ceding responsibility for learning new skills to their employers, according to a new report by BMC. After polling 3,200 office workers in 12 countries, it was concluded that workers like the idea of enhancing their work lives through technology.

However, 40 percent don’t think they’ll be able to keep up with the pace of change, and 88 percent say the responsibility of innovative cultures lies in the hands of their employers.

Paul Appleby, EVP of Digital Transformation at BMC, says: "The massive digital disruption we are experiencing is forcing societies and businesses to create new learning environments to train their labour forces so they are able to meet the demands of digital industry. The study also shows that employees want to be 'digital change agents' and are looking to acquire new skills, but are asking for employers to offer more training opportunities to meet requirements of the digital era. To put it simply, businesses that take the initiative to lead today will be those that others follow tomorrow."

Almost half (47 percent) of workers believe they will have to learn new software and apps. That includes more than half (57 percent) of respondents from the US.

A third (33 percent) expect some of their tasks to become automated within the next four years, especially in countries like China (48 percent).

These digital changes are also changing how employees view their work environment, in a positive way. Almost three quarters (74 percent) feel empowered to embrace change and seize new opportunities, and 71 percent described their workplace as "inspiring".

However, the biggest fear is that workers won’t be able to learn new skills fast enough, especially in Europe and Latin America.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Future plc Publication. All rights reserved.

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