Organisations that are already automating processes and transforming themselves digitally are confident in increasing their workforces globally

Technology is advancing by leaps and bounds in our society, encompassing a range of skills that are vital to our lives. At the time, some doubts arose about the actual competition that technology would pose, about what its key role was going to be and how it was going to be used. With regard to labour market competition, the question arose as to whether digitisation would be beneficial only to companies or, on the contrary, whether the use of technology would take people out of work. Nothing could be further from the truth. For the third consecutive year, a study by the Manpower Group shows that more and more companies (87%) plan to increase or maintain their workforce after introducing automation.

There are not fewer job opportunities. On the contrary, organisations are investing in digitisation, automating processes and creating jobs. More and more companies around the world are planning to increase or maintain their workforces after initiating digital transformation processes. For example, in Spain, 34% of companies that are planning to automate processes within the next two years will generate more jobs; 16% more than those not contemplating automation. To fulfil this process, organisations are improving the training of their professionals so that they can perform new tasks that complement those performed by machines.

The demand for technological skills is growing rapidly. In Spain, 49% of companies plan to increase their information technology departments, although there is a mismatch between the type of education and experience that managers are looking for and what they can find. Even so, robots are helping to boost productivity and have proven to be an important factor in economic growth; therefore, failing to invest in automation can cause businesses to miss the opportunity of creating wealth and jobs.

Talent strategies

Talent shortages are increasing, and new social skills are taking the place of traditional ones. 77% of companies in Spain are implementing talent strategies to engage and attract professionals whose skills match their needs. But in order to compete in the skills revolution, companies need to foster a culture of learning, offer career guidance, and provide learning opportunities through short, specialised training programmes.

That process involves, first and foremost, creating talent. In other words, companies must invest in the training and development of their own workforces. Then, they have to attract that talent. How? Offering higher salary packages to ensure workers remain loyal to the company. Then, they have to share that talent with new generations and finally, talent has to be transformed. Thousands of companies are helping their employees to progress, to promote themselves or to change positions within or outside the organisation as part of their talent strategy.

This study provides a real-time view of how automation is changing the way organisations operate. More jobs are being created and more training is on offer to create teams of professionals that have everything they need to succeed. Businesses that do not undertake any of the above strategies display less confidence and have fewer chances of creating jobs.