There was a time when people would follow a set path after their initial schooling. Some would go to university, while others would head straight to the workforce and stay in the same job until they retired.
More opportunities and a fading class system mean people from all backgrounds can attend university today, and the workforce isn’t what it once was.
In 2022, the employment landscape is probably more different than ever before. But what do these changes mean for your prospects?
Stick with us because you’re about to find out.
How Employment Changed With The Digital Revolution
Before the internet became mainstream, people had limited options regarding finding information or buying products. The high streets were buzzing with shops, and the workplace relied on humans – and in some cases – computers.
However, the digital revolution changed a lot of things, but employment was one of the most affected areas.
Less Loyalty
A 2018 study by Deloitte showed that around 43% of Millennials planned to change jobs within two years, which is a significant change from the generation of Baby Boomers.
It’s not just a case of being fickle, either – the rise of social media and the internet has made it easier than ever to find out about other opportunities. With a few clicks, you can see what other companies offer and compare it to your current situation.
Of course, this doesn’t mean people will change jobs every five minutes. But it does show that the trend is moving towards less loyalty to one company.
Greater Flexibility
In the past, full-time employed workers would clock in at nine and leave at five with very little flexibility. If you had an emergency or needed to take care of something personal, then tough luck – you were expected to be at the office during traditional working hours.
With the rise in digital technology came more flexibility for businesses, which enabled HR professionals to recommend a less restrictive attitude to work hours.
Women Claimed The Boardroom
The glass ceiling has been a topic of conversation for many years, but it seems that the digital revolution has finally allowed women to claim their rightful place in the boardroom.
Facebook appointed Sheryl Sandberg as their new chief operating officer – making her one of the most powerful women in business. She’s not alone, either – Mary Barra is the CEO of General Motors, and Ginni Rometty was the CEO of IBM.
The digital revolution has given rise to a more level playing field when it comes to gender equality in employment. With more opportunities and greater flexibility, businesses are starting to see the value of having a diverse workforce – which can only be positive for everyone.
The After-Effects of the Pandemic
So, now we know just some of the ways employment has changed since the digital revolution; it’s time to look at how the pandemic further altered how people work.
Lockdowns Lead To Working In The Home
The pandemic forced many businesses to close their doors, but that didn’t mean work stopped. In fact, for a lot of people, it simply meant working from home.
While some found working from home hard, others embraced the experience and didn’t want to return to the office. Many companies changed their policies to facilitate working from home, giving people even more flexibility.
The ‘Do What You Love’ Mentality
The pandemic also led to a lot of people reassessing their career choices. With so much time on their hands, many used the opportunity to pursue their passion or learn new skills.
As a result, there was an increase in the number of people starting their businesses or becoming self-employed. The ‘do what you love’ mentality has never been more relevant than it is today.
Businesses Are Utilising Technology More Than Ever
The pandemic has also led to businesses utilising technology more than ever before. Companies have had to find new ways to communicate and collaborate with so many people working from home.
This has led to an increase in video conferencing and online project management tools, which resulted in businesses investing more in digital marketing and e-commerce.
Restaurants and pubs also turned to table service, which means there could be fewer jobs for employees.
The Gig Economy Is On The Rise
The gig economy is also on the rise, with more and more people becoming self-employed or working freelance. It’s a great way to have more control over your work/life balance, but it does come with its own set of challenges.
For example, you’re not entitled to the same employment rights as someone in full-time employment, such as sick pay or paid holiday. There’s also no guarantee of work, making it difficult to plan for the future.
Despite this, the gig economy is still growing, and it’s estimated that by 2027, 50% of the US workforce will be self-employed.
Tradespeople Are In Demand
There will always be opportunities for tradespeople to earn a good living, and their demand continues to rise (Insight DIY). Electricians and plumbers are the most in-demand skilled professionals, and there are plenty of opportunities to
While many people believe that becoming self-employed means sitting at a laptop all day, there are plenty of opportunities to learn a trade and enjoy working for yourself while earning a good living.
Better still, you can take flexible electrician and plumbing courses to update your skills and improve your prospects.
What Does The Future Hold?
While there will be other opportunities in the future, it’s also clear that some people might have to change their preferred careers to find lasting employment. However, society has seen many changes, from the Industrial Revolution to the Digital Revolution and people adapted accordingly.
The pandemic made many of us rethink our lives and goals, but with things finally stabilising, it’s likely that any future changes will progress steadily – instead of rapidly.
More technology will mean some jobs become obsolete, but there will also be new jobs for people. It might be too soon to say exactly what will happen, but it’s clear that more stability in 2022 didn’t impact many of the changes we saw during the pandemic.
