As the world comes out of the pandemic, changes are on the horizon.
Many businesses are looking to thrive, post-pandemic and reclaim their lost profitability.
Workers having dealt with layoffs and downsizing are seeking job security.
As the Caribbean business world progresses from these setbacks, a lot of changes can be expected in a post-pandemic labour market.
How has the pandemic changed the face of work?
The pandemic had several impacts on the job market:
Working from home
Employees performed their job responsibilities at home. Meetings and communication would have been facilitated through video conferencing calls. The pandemic essentially gave rise to a ‘new normal’ where work-from-home was seen as the new and normal way of working.
While workers have largely returned to work in physical spaces, some companies still maintain a hybrid of the work-from-home model, where workers come into office on some days and work remotely on others.
Entrepreneurial pursuits
With limited opportunities during the pandemic, workers who had been laid off or furloughed would have pursued entrepreneurial routes and established ‘side hustles’. While these side hustles may have been either a primary or secondary form of income, the pandemic taught a lot of employees that survival requires a high amount of creativity, grit and boldness.
Side hustles have been continued, particularly for people who are the family breadwinners or have dependents to support.
Massive reliance on technology
Technology was always an integral part Caribbean business. Presently, technology is not just integral, but mandatory as companies have upgraded their infrastructure to accommodate working from home, video conferencing, data storage and invested highly in cybersecurity to protect their data.
Since the pandemic, some jobs have become obsolete as technology has replaced manpower in customer service and finance. Fintech (financial technology) for example, has replaced traditional banking where people and businesses, are encouraged to utilise online banking platforms, ATMs, digital wallets and e-commerce marketplaces to buy, sell or manage their money.
Adverse effects on once thriving industries
Some sectors have been revolutionised by the pandemic. Others have taken a massive hit and came close to collapse. Particularly in Caribbean economies, once lucrative industries such as tourism, hospitality, transport and entertainment have been significantly slowed down.
Digital is the new culture
The pandemic has definitely solidified that digital is the culture of the 21st century. Apart from work models and communications, virtually everything has been digitalised coming out of the pandemic.
E-commerce, apps, mobile devices, digital currencies and social media are now a part of every day life. People place orders, purchase, sell, communicate, promote, get informed and entertained via digital means. Companies also expect jobseekers to have high digital skills and knowledge to perform their work.
Thriving industries post-pandemic
Given the way in which the pandemic has impacted the Caribbean working world, some industries expected to grow during this time include:
- Information, Communications & Technology (ICT)
- Cybersecurity
- Shipping, warehousing & logistics
- Janitorial/sanitation
- E-commerce
- Home security
- Delivery services – food, online grocery drop offs, medication delivery
- Advanced Manufacturing – manufacturing using highly advanced and digital methods of production
Future job trends in a post-pandemic labour market
Within these Caribbean industries poised for growth, companies and employees can expect:
A human-centric approach to remote work
While working from home has benefits, teamwork, collaboration and joint productivity is best cultivated within a physical work space. Companies may not abandon the remote working model entirely. Instead, employees are being given greater work flexibility than before and may work under a hybrid model – with both in office and remote work options.
This makes effective use of technology and keeps operating costs down, while preserving some degree of physical human interaction.
Greater emphasis on attitude vs aptitude
Degrees and certifications may be somewhat relevant, but the pandemic has demonstrated that even experienced, certified and educated persons can be laid off. The emphasis going forward is on value and the attitude created and carried by jobseekers.
Modern companies are considering an enthusiastic attitude and willingness to learn just as important as education and experience. Presently in this labour market, a successful candidates must possess the right temperament, attitude and energy the position requires. Suitability for the job is not just paper qualifications but a willing attitude and strong enthusiasm.
Health is top priority
Both employers and employees place greater importance on physical, mental and emotional health. The pandemic has awakened both jobseekers and companies that health should not be in jeopardy for promotions, higher salaries or profit. Going forward, jobseekers can expect to see companies making health a priority and vice versa.
A greater need for intrapreneurship
Any time the world faces a crisis, certain skills and qualities are needed to restore stability and order. Some of these skills include adaptability, flexibility, critical thinking, creativity and risk management. These are usually entrepreneurial skills. However, in an organisation setting, these skills and qualities are displayed by intrapreneurs.
Intrapreneurs will be needed, going forward to foster collaborative and productive teams. Additionally, intrapreneurial managers will be required to lead their teams through future uncertainties, in a volatile work environment.
Skills for a post pandemic world
Skills make you valuable. Valuable employees are usually retained as much as possible by their employers.
Valuable skills for the present labour market include:
- Flexibility – Flexibility measures how quickly and successfully you can adapt to change. How quickly can you adapt and be a productive asset in a new situation?
- Digital skills –Essential digital skills include marketing, artificial intelligence and leading virtual teams.
- Creativity –Companies require creative employees to collectively brainstorm and come up with out-of-the-box solutions for modern problems.
- Media literacy –Media literacy is a contemporary skill that involves looking at presented data objectively, identifying what is relevant, reliable and useful to apply towards a company’s operations. Media literacy identifies and distinguishes valuable information from clickbait, misinformation, propaganda or sensationalism to provide pertinent and relevant knowledge.
- Empathy & self-awareness – Team members need human qualities to connect, collaborate, motivate and support them to bring out their best and foster a healthy workplace culture.
- Leadership – A skill that is always in demand. Good leaders are always needed to set an example, manage resources, bring out the best in their team and achieve company goals.
