We’re seeing competition for talent with AI-related skills heating up, as business leaders anticipate that Generative AI will revolutionise industries and redefine jobs. Our recent Global Talent Trends Report shows that job posts mentioning AI grew by 1.1x in Australia, 2.5x in India, 1.9x in Japan and 2.4x in Southeast Asia over the last two years. HR leaders will be central to helping companies navigate these shifts, and ensure they have the right talent strategies in place to future proof their workforce. Here are three tips for HR recruiters and learning and development teams, to succeed in this rapidly changing world of work.
Recognise that the key to success is a skills-first mindset
The skills required for jobs are changing rapidly – by 25% globally since 2015. This pace of change was higher in Asia Pacific (APAC) – 27% in Australia, 30% in India and 36% in Singapore. With Generative AI, the rate of change is accelerated – 65% by 2030. The skills we learnt in school and developed in previous roles will continue to evolve, and HR will play a critical role in helping companies place a greater focus on continuous learning and development in order for employees to remain relevant.
Bringing a skills-first approach to the center of talent management is the surest way to expand your talent pools, upskill your current employees, and build agility into your workforce. Those who will be the most successful in jobs in the age of AI are going to be the agile ones that embrace a growth mindset.
The good news is that workers today are already going the extra mile to pick up AI-related skills to help them get ahead in the future world of work. Our recent Future of Work report tells us that members in APAC are picking up AI skills faster than the global average. Based on our data across 25 countries, the number of AI-skills workers was 9x larger in June 2023 compared to January 2016. Singapore leads globally – it has the highest rate of members who have added AI skills to their profiles over time (20x). This is followed by India at 14x and Australia at 11x.
Understand the importance of a people-centric approach to meet the changing demands of the workforce
Taking on a human-centric approach to hiring means prioritising the experiences of job candidates, recognising that people are not just resources, but individuals with unique skills, perspectives, and needs. This helps employers create a more positive and inclusive workplace culture, attract and retain top talent, and ultimately drive better business outcomes.
I believe that AI will be an indispensable tool for recruiters to free up their time so they can focus on what’s important – the human and strategic aspects of their role. Our new Recruiter 2024 will play a key role in making hiring more efficient and easy by streamlining the process for talent acquisition leaders to find qualified candidates faster, so they can focus on strategic, people-centric work.
Bringing employees along for the journey and navigate change with employee well-being in mind
Amidst evolving professional landscapes, it’s crucial to recognize the potential strain on employees. Professionals’ confidence in career prospects are on the decline – LinkedIn’s 12-country Workplace Confidence Index shows that, compared to a year ago, most respondents are less confident in their prospects to progress their careers (Australia is down 8 points, India is down 2 points). They are also anxious about the proliferation of AI, with LinkedIn’s recent consumer survey finding that 4 in 10 professionals in APAC are worried they won’t be able to keep up with AI developments at work.
To guide their workforce through these changes, HR and learning and development teams must empower employees to upskill and reskill, boosting confidence and the ability to unlock AI’s potential for productivity and career growth. Soft skills are going to become increasingly important in the future world of work, with 94% of business executives in Australia and 91% in India recognising their significance. LinkedIn’s recent consumer survey also found that problem-solving (67%), time management (66%), adaptability and resilience (67%), and strategic thinking (65.69%) are the top soft skills professionals in the region consider increasingly vital as AI tools become more widespread in the workplace.
About the author
Feon Ang is the Managing Director, Asia Pacific (APAC), at LinkedIn. She spearheads LinkedIn’s business strategy across Asia Pacific. Feon also oversees the business and performance of LinkedIn Talent Solutions in the region.
An accomplished and award-winning business executive, Feon specifically looks at expanding and accelerating the growth of LinkedIn’s APAC business. Throughout her 10 years at LinkedIn, Feon has delivered consistent results, with a keen focus on driving performance and revenue goals through strategy, sales and cross functional collaboration.
