The global health pandemic has completely upended the world of work. With social distancing restrictions and other health measures in place, many companies have either shifted to hybrid workplaces or completely transitioned to remote working models. Covid has forever changed the workplace culture, pushed digital skills to the forefront, and paved a clear path for the rapid evolution of today’s emerging technologies. Yet while most companies have been able to adapt to the new working conditions, many are also looking to move forward and upgrade their workforce to emerge as a better company when all the dust settles.
Here’s a quick look at how some savvy employers are leveraging the pandemic to upgrade their workforces:
LOOKING FOR TALENT IN NEW PLACES
With more companies increasingly using digital services to work remotely and sell their services, this has led to an increase in security vulnerabilities. In a survey of Covid-related business risks by the World Economic Forum, researchers identified increased cybersecurity attacks as the top tech-related risk enterprises are worried about – mostly attributed to the rapid shift in work patterns. In fact, around 50% of enterprises have expressed this as a foremost concern, underscoring the growing demand for cybersecurity experts.
This has led to companies changing who they target during their hiring process. Companies are now looking to hire directly from universities that offer a dedicated degree in cybersecurity as compared to staffing cybersecurity pros over 30. And in order to cater to this demand online, tech-inclined universities are streamlining the process of training the cybersecurity professionals of the future. For instance, Maryville University, which is one of America’s most prominent online schools, has designed its 2.5-year cybersecurity program around solving real-world case studies. Furthermore, the university’s online bachelor’s in cybersecurity is conducted through its Virtual Lab which allows students to train from practically any device with an internet connection. A company looking to upgrade their cybersecurity should instead look to younger graduates that may not have the experience but who will have formal training in offensive and defensive tactics.
UPSKILLING AND RESKILLING
Instead of waiting until the pandemic is over, leading edge companies are taking advantage of the crisis to upgrade their current workforce. Verizon recently announced that it’s investing $44 million in an internal upskilling program, and auditing services firm PwC plans to upskill all 275,000 of its employees – to the tune of $3 billion. Other large multinational companies like JPMorgan, Amazon, and Accenture are also pulling similar moves in an effort to upskill and reskill their workforce for the future.
Apart from cybersecurity, this involves training in automation-enabled tools upending everything from warehouse logistics to financial advisory services. This also includes fundamental competence in the new digital tools that have become essential due to remote work.
WORKPLACE WELLNESS
Whether through direct policy changes or dramatic shifts in management styles, employers are also increasingly recognizing the value of workplace wellness. To meet the psychological challenges employees have undertaken in this pandemic, MarTech Series reports that 88% of employers are investing in mental health programs, while 69% are investing in teaching workers mindfulness and meditation techniques. Telemedicine options and flexible scheduling models are becoming more popular as well. As more employers come to terms with the economic, social, and psychological effects of Covid, these programs will continue to surge in popularity.
SUMMARY
To lay the foundation for the post-Covid workplace, great companies are making bold moves to recruit in unconventional ways, upskill their current workforce, and take proactive measures to guard the physical and mental wellness of their people.
Written by Alicia Williams for exclusive use on EricChester.com
