As technology adoption takes shape across the world, experts now want employers to commence programs of reskilling their workers to cope with the technologically changing world.

The experts argue that in the wake of global social-economic and demographic changes, most business and industrial operations will be disrupted requiring employees to be adequately equipped and aligned with the ever-changing technology.

With many industries having embraced the use of digital tools to grow their businesses especially since the onset of Covid-19 that took the world by storm, experts believe that businesses will continue moving online thereby increasing the demand for digital competencies such as specialized computer knowledge that encompasses digital analytics, digital media, cyber security among others.

Technologists state that universities across the world have a dauting task ahead in reshaping and reskilling their students to ensure production of quality manpower that can satisfy the growing need for a tech-savvy workforce.

According to Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof. Njenga Munene, new set of skill will be required in both old and new occupations and industries transform to cope up with the new technology.

Speaking at the Ruiru-based institution, Prof Munene said in the wake of the revelations, the university has expanded the scope of its programs to equip learners with skills and competencies that remain relevant for the current and future market needs.

Among the newly introduced programs at the university to help employees from their competencies are Software Engineering, Computer Science and Actuarial Science which are geared to supplying the market with the much-needed skills.

Additionally, the VC expressed the need for universities to recognize the importance of embedding IT in various disciplines despite them being traditionally considered humanities said that the institution was working in collaboration with industry experts such as Oracle, AfricaHackOn, Huawei, CISCO and Samchi Group to enforce the labour demands.

“Some of the skills that are most sought after now and in the future include enterprise resource planning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, Cloud computing, Robotic process automation, Cyber Security, Data Science, Blockchain technology, Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Currencies and Digital Marketing & Communications. This is why Zetech University has deliberately chosen to expand its programs in those areas including journalism and media where there is a lot of convergence,” he said.

On her part, Zetech University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Alice Njuguna observed that the COVID-19 pandemic saw the institutions around the world embrace flipped classrooms and Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL), where learners can access education remotely.

“Technology has played a pivotal role in hybrid and ODeL modes of study and supporting the platforms through which learners share information, collaborate and study remotely. Zetech University has been a pace-setter in online learning and online exam administration. Besides maintaining uninterrupted studying in unprecedented times, the open and distance learning approach has offered students flexibility in terms of what, when, at what pace, where, and how they prefer to study. We have an elaborate training program for our faculty and students on how to access and use the online resources,” affirmed Dr. Njuguna.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025, as technology adoption increases.

The report further notes that analytical thinking, complex problem solving, creativity, social influence, resilience, programming and stress tolerance are among the skills that will be critical to survival in a workplace over the next five years.