As human resource development (HRD) practitioner, I found that demographic change has always been a tough on-going pressure. An aging population and declining birth rates are expected to create significant workforce shortages, making it even harder to fill roles. AI is also starting to affect areas like graduate employment, particularly in technology, while recruitment is becoming more complex, with rising application volumes sitting alongside causing persistent skills gaps. So, organizations need to reverse the long-term decline in training investment and focus more on building real adaptable workforce.
Concurrently, individuals must realize the importance of learning how to learn, especially the three core skills: curating information, generating new ideas and communicating well. Their task now is not simply to respond to change, but help to shape it, so that work evolves in ways that benefit organizations, individuals and society. For HR practitioners, this brings both challenges and real opportunities. The need to balance technological progress with good outcomes for people has never been greater. The importance of collaboration of working together has been central to human survival and development.
In this context, I am really excited to receive the digital badge & renewal of my Chartered Fellow Membership from the prestigious Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) United Kingdom. It is a recognition of my five decades of experience at senior level of many multinational companies (MNCs) and government linked companies (GLCs), as well as teaching at Graduate Business Schools shaping the past, present & future of the profession. (https://www.cipd.org.uk)
I believe the future starts from the present. Technology means that we can do much more in less time but it is hard to see it has improved working lives, or led to sustained economic growth. Rising stress at work suggests we may be working harder, but not smarter. Many are struggling with low income, or unfulfilling jobs or findings jobs, or have opted out of work entirely. Many jobs are not simply are not using people's skills, despite today's workforce being more qualified, with more graduates, than ever before. The filling of skills gaps is a top issue for employers, yet investment in skills has slowed in the face of economic pressures.
Zulkifly Baharom (hajizul50@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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