Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kentucky employers were increasing their use of advanced technologies. These emerging technologies are changing the nature of work and the skills needed to be successful in the workplace.
Jobs that are routine in nature can more easily be replaced by technology, because computers can be programmed to follow a sequential order of tasks. On the other hand, jobs that require problem-solving, creativity, or human interaction are of growing importance.
In 2017, many Kentucky firms reported testing or using advanced technologies for production or service.
The most common technology in use among Kentucky firms is touchscreens and kiosks for customer interface. These are commonly used in the food service and accommodation sector, where firms are more than twice as likely to be using touchscreens and kiosks.
Kentucky firms’ investment in advanced technologies is on par with the national trend. A slightly higher percentage of Kentucky firms report testing or using machine vision software, machine learning, radio-frequency identification (RFI) inventory systems, and robotics, as compared to the national average.
Kentucky’s manufacturing sector is the fastest adopter of advanced technologies. For example, the manufacturing sector reports the testing and using of robotics at a rate 6.5 times greater than the average across sectors.
Research from the MIT Work of the Future Task Force indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the rate of technological adoption. The need for social distancing along with a workforce made erratic by stay-at-home orders and lack of childcare has driven employers to figure out how to work with fewer workers. In many cases, technology has been used to fill in the gaps. Examples have been widely reported, including in the meatpacking industry, e-commerce, cleaning services, and a range of other sectors.
A more technologically advanced workplace will require workers to have strong digital skills and excel in human-centric tasks. However, research from the National Skills Coalition shows that many workers are not prepared for the changing nature of work.
The same analysis shows that workers of color are over-represented among workers with gaps in digital skills, in part due to longstanding disparities in access to education and training, financial resources, and career-path jobs.
As we start to consider what the economic recovery might look like once the pandemic has passed, digital skills are likely to be at the forefront. As the region’s workforce board, KentuckianaWorks can connect our local workforce to resources that help build digital skills.
