Four in five workers expect employers to help them upskill as workplaces evolve

• 61% of workers optimistic about opportunities that technology will bring to workplace
• More than three-quarters confident they have skillset to keep and progress their current job over the next ten years
• 25% believe they will be working in career or field that doesn’t yet exist in next ten years
• 28% are worried that robots and AI will replace their jobs

Workers are confident they have the skills to thrive in their careers, but expect employers to help them adapt to changing work practices, according to research from Ricoh.

Despite the fact that automation and technology are likely to replace certain jobs in the future, a Ricoh study of 3,000 European workers found that employees are open to the potential benefits that come with these changes. The majority (61%) are optimistic about the opportunities that technology will bring to the workplace, enabling them to work more flexibly and collaboratively.

More than three-quarters (77%) are also confident that they have the necessary skillset to keep and progress their current job over the next ten years. Meanwhile, 25% believe that they will be working in a career or field that doesn’t yet exist in the next ten years, and 28% are worried that technology (robots and AI) will replace their jobs.

As organisations implement more tech-based solutions such as robotics and artificial intelligence into their workplace, the onus is on employers to ensure employees have the right skills to shape and extend their careers. Four out of five (81%) workers expect their employer to provide tools and training to adapt to new roles as technology changes. 

Gary Hopwood, Managing Director, Ricoh Ireland, comments: “The rapid pace at which technology is developing shows no signs of slowing down. While it’s inevitable that there will be some challenges, there are also many opportunities and benefits associated with new tools including greater efficiency, productivity and satisfaction among the workforce.

“With five generations in the workplace at the current time, it’s only natural that people expect their employers to upskill and empower them to reap the rewards of technology. By doing so, businesses will also find that they benefit from instilling a positive culture, enabling increased output and retaining talent.”

About the research: About the research: 3,000 office workers from across Europe were polled between 30 August and 5 September 2019 by Opinium Research LLC.

About the Future of Work report: The Future of Work report analyses more than 100 sources, to bring together the best-in-class thinking and use cases on how work will shape employment. It finds that technology will fuel new modes of collaboration between humans, human and machines and machines with other machines (automation). Learn more about the importance of putting sustainability and people first in the Future of Work by downloading the full report here.