How we stand up to the robots

The future was also better in the past, as Karl Valentin quipped. In fact, technological
technological progress and its significance for the world of work were actually greeted with more anticipation than they are today. The reason for this is digitalisation, which arouses fears as well as fascination. Intelligent machines that work more precisely than any human hand, constantly have the entire knowledge of mankind at their fingertips, never get tired and are also constantly learning, are competing with humans for jobs. At least some observers of this development are warning of such a scenario, from philosopher Richard David Precht to Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser and Silicon Valley entrepreneur Martin Ford.

Various studies predict how many jobs will fall victim to digitalisation - while others predict how many new jobs will be created. However, no scientific method can precisely calculate how many workers will be needed in which sectors in ten or twenty years' time.

The decisive factor for today's career starters is that digitalisation is bringing about change. It is important to train in such a way that you have good chances on the job market.

Doing what computers can't

The crucial question is therefore: What do you need to be able to do to survive in the labour market of the future? With regard to digitalisation and automation, the answer is: what machines and computer programs cannot do. These will be used for tasks and work steps that are repetitive. Be it in the manufacture of cars, sorting parcels or writing reports by searching text documents for certain keywords and numerical values. In recent years, robots have become much more dexterous and precise, understanding written words and speech signals better and better. Certain computer programmes even become creative and design graphics or write texts according to certain specifications.

The machines lack knowledge of human nature,
empathy and a talent for improvisation.

What machines and software do not have are knowledge of human nature, empathy and a talent for improvisation, to name just a few human abilities. Those robots that are particularly good at something are often only able to perform this one task. The transport robot in the warehouse is incapable of picking up the screws it has dropped, putting them back in the box and then continuing the errand it has started. The translation software cannot write an advertising slogan for its own company.

Most people are good at a wide range of activities. And more importantly, they can act as the situation requires, they are adaptable and some can do several things at the same time.

For years, there has been a shortage of skilled labour in Switzerland in various areas: in technical professions, from craftsmen to engineers, in IT, in fiduciary and legal services, in care and nursing, and among doctors and teachers. In all these sectors, digitalisation is underway and work is being automated. But machines and programmes are still a long way from replacing people.

Robot colleague?

In many areas, we will be working with robots and autonomously functioning computer programmes in the future. The industrial robot may press the door seals into the slots after the worker has held the rubbers in the right place; or the diagnostic software may give the doctor clues as to which illness might be present based on the laboratory values. The doctor uses his medical knowledge and his knowledge of the patient's life to arrive at the most plausible diagnosis.

Delivery drones, autonomous vehicles and self-scanners will cause certain professions to disappear.

There is no doubt that certain professions will disappear completely, for example because delivery drones will take over parcel distribution, autonomous vehicles will make chauffeurs superfluous or self-scanning stations will replace staffed checkouts. However, when asked, Coop and Migros say that no staff have been cut in any shop since the introduction of unattended checkouts.

Will you be able to work when and where you want in future?

Experts agree that routine work is disappearing, but more demanding jobs are increasing. Work is therefore becoming more interesting, more responsible and more demanding. It is therefore necessary to undergo longer training and continuous professional development in order to succeed in the new jobs. Solving unexpected problems, monitoring, analysing, planning and developing processes - these are all tasks in which programs and machines make their contribution, but which they cannot solve on their own. People are still needed for this.

Where and how will we find work in the future? Digitalisation has expanded the opportunities to pursue a career outside of a company building and without direct contact with superiors or clients. Many companies allow home office days and have become more flexible in terms of working hours. In return, many expect people to open their laptops or talk to customers on the phone outside of office hours. «Time sovereignty», i.e. the ability to decide for yourself when you work and when you are there for your family or pursue your hobby, is one of the reasons for job satisfaction, says work researcher Oliver Strohm.

In service industries such as IT, communications, human resources and adult education, many people already work as self-employed professionals. They have built up a network, possibly during their time as permanent employees. Now they fulfil customer orders, some in the office, others at home, in a café or in a coworking space. For many activities, all they need is a computer and access to the internet. Many enjoy this freedom. The downside of this form of work is a certain amount of uncertainty: instead of a fixed monthly amount flowing into the account, sometimes more, sometimes less and sometimes nothing at all.

Some receive their assignments via online platforms or use their screen work, translation or proofreading software to help them become even more precise. This «platform work» is seen by sceptics as an example of the fact that permanent employment and the associated social security is an outdated model.

A positive view of the future

However, 85 per cent of employees in Switzerland still have a permanent contract, as the federal government's digitalisation study states. If the permanent employment relationship is being replaced, then at least very slowly.

Another trend is encouraging: traditional craftsmanship is still valued, sometimes even celebrated. Whether it's handmade furniture made from local wood, bread from the village bakery and vegetables straight from the farm or locally produced clothing, there are people who are willing to pay the price for such products again. Noble craft businesses probably do not offer enough work for the masses of practically trained professionals. However, the demand for skilled labour remains high on construction sites, in building services, in mechanics and in the manufacturing industry.

Apprenticeships are keeping pace

The great advantage of apprenticeships is that, as they mainly take place in companies that can hold their own on the market, they are constantly adapting to changes. If a technology or working method becomes established, the apprentices are trained in the new process. Keeping pace with digitalisation is vital for companies. Their employees and trainees «automatically» go along with the change .

Of course, it would be naïve to believe that technological progress will not destroy jobs or, in any case, create more new jobs than are lost. But the opening question of this text was what we should learn in order to be successful in the labour market of the future, perhaps with a machine as our next colleague. One option would be to choose a sector that is less at risk from digitalisation - IT, automation, engineering or even social professions.

Those who are «on fire» for a profession are more motivated to continuously expand their knowledge and skills.

Richard David Precht once answered the question about the most future-proof profession succinctly with: «the profession you are passionate about». What he meant by this was that anyone who learns a profession or studies a subject that really interests them is more likely to be motivated to continuously expand their knowledge and skills. This allows you to keep up with the times and see where new opportunities are opening up. This is no guarantee of a secure job. But getting a good education is certainly the best thing you can do for your professional future.

The future will bring us these professions

These professionals could be in demand in a few years' time - along with many other specialists for the application of new technologies and coping with the challenges of the times:

• Datendetektiv/-in: Recherchiert in den betriebsinternen Daten und arbeitet anhand der untersuchten Informationen Vorschläge aus.
• Cyber-Stadtplaner/-in: Stellt sicher, dass Biodaten, Einwohnerdaten oder Investitionsgüterdaten in den Städten ungehindert fliessen.

• Persönliche/-r Gedächtniskurator/-in: Unterstützt ältere Kunden mit Gedächtnisverlust darin, virtuelle Umgebungen zu erschaffen, in denen sie sich aufhalten können.

• Tele-Fitnesstrainer/-in und -berater/-in: Betreut und trainiert oder berät Kunden in Ernährungsfragen aus der Ferne und überwacht ihre körperliche Aktivität anhand der Daten, die ihre Fitnessuhren übermitteln.

• Mensch-Maschine-Teammanager/-in: Entwickelt und überwacht Prozesse und Informationsflüsse, damit Menschen mit Maschinen und Computerprogrammen optimal zusammenarbeiten.
• Persönliche-Daten-Broker/-in: Unterstützt Individuen, die ihre persönlichen Daten von einem Unternehmen zurückverlangen, und berät Firmen darin, persönliche Daten effizient und sicher zurückzugeben.
• Virtuelle/-r Reiseleiter/-in: Bringt mit Hologrammen und dank Virtual Reality Sehenswürdigkeiten aus aller Welt ins Wohnzimmer.
• Vertical Farmer: Urban Farming ist bereits heute ein Trend – in Zukunft werden immer mehr Bauern in städtischen, in die Höhe gebauten Treibhäusern Landwirtschaft in der Vertikalen betreiben.
• Roboter-Supporter: Unterstützt Besitzer autonom funktionierender Geräte, wenn diese nicht mehr tun, was sie sollen.
• Wearable-Technology-Therapeut/-in: Behandelt die körperlichen Folgen, die tragbare Technologie und Implantate auch mit ihrem minimalen Gewicht auf den Bewegungsapparat haben können.
• Digitalwährungsberater/-in: Finanz- und Anlageberater für rein digitale Währungen.
• Lehrplan-Individualisierungs-Spezialist/-in: Entwickelt Modelle, die sicherstellen, dass jedes Kind seinem persönlichen Lernstil entsprechend lernen kann und am Ende doch alle mit vergleichbaren Kompetenzen und damit chancengleich die Schule in Richtung Beruf verlassen.
• Einfachheits-Expert/-in: Unterstützt Menschen dabei, ihr Leben so zu gestalten, dass sie mehr Zeit für die Dinge zur Verfügung haben, die ihnen am meisten Zufriedenheit verschaffen.
• Spezialist/-in für CO2-Einlagerung: Besorgt die sichere Einlagerung von ausgestossenem CO2 in dafür geeigneten Aufbewahrungsgefässen, sodass das Kohlendioxid die Atmosphäre nicht weiter belastet.
• Körperteil-Ingenieur/-in: Entwickelt funktionstüchtige, künstliche Extremitäten und Organe, die ihre natürlichen, menschlichen Pendants falls nötig ersetzen.
• Drohnenverkehrsmanager/-in: Überwacht die autonom funktionierende Luftraumüberwachung für autonome Flugobjekte.

  Sources: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Handelszeitung, Watson, www.laufbahnvision.ch, www.careers2030.cst.org

Existing, young professions

The range of recognised gauges is constantly being expanded - these are the latest:

• Medizinproduktetechnologe/-in EFZ* (seit 2018)

• Hotel-Kommunikationsfachfrau/-mann EFZ (seit 2017) 

• Hörsystemakustiker/-in EFZ  (seit 2016) 

• Fachfrau/-mann öffentlicher Verkehr EFZ (seit 2015) 

• Entwässerungstechnologe/-in EFZ (seit 2014) 

• Interactive Media Designer EFZ (seit 2014) 

• Systemgastronomiefachfrau/-mann EFZ (seit 2013) 

• Fachfrau/-mann Bewegungs- und Gesundheitsförderung EFZ (seit 2012) 

• Fachfrau/-mann Kundendialog EFZ (seit 2011) 

• Veranstaltungsfachfrau/-mann EFZ (seit 2011) 

• Bühnentänzer/-in EFZ (seit 2009)

*EFZ: Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis
Quelle: Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation SBFI

These professions will remain

Technology is also playing an increasingly important role in these traditional activities. However, they cannot be completely automated or digitalised:

• Feuerwehrmann/-frau: Jeder Brand entsteht und verläuft anders und muss individuell bekämpft werden.

• Polizist/-in: Roboter werden noch lange nicht agil, geschickt und vielseitig genug sein, um alle Aufgaben der Polizei zu über­ nehmen.

• Anwalt/Anwältin: Wer würde sich von einer Maschine vor Gericht vertreten lassen wollen?

• Schreiner/-in und Zimmermann/Zimmerin: Was sich serienmässig produzieren lässt, kommt schon lange aus der Fabrik. Was individuell und der Situation ange­passt hergestellt werden muss, ist noch lange die Domäne der qualifizierten Holzhandwerker/­innen.

• Maurer/-in, Sanitärinstallateur/-in, Elektriker/-in und weitere Bau- und Haustechnikberufe: Jede Baustelle, jede Kundenwohnung und fast jedes Gebäude sind anders. Ausserdem gibt es noch immer unzähli­ge jahrzehntealte Installationen. Im Neubau wird aber wohl immer mehr mit serienmässig hergestellten Elementen gearbeitet.

• Coiffeur/-se: Jede Haarpracht reagiert anders darauf, wenn sie gekämmt und gekürzt wird. Und ob Maschinen jemals das Vertrauen der anspruchsvollen Kundschaft gewin­nen werden, ist mehr als fraglich.

• Restaurationsfachfrau/-mann: Servierende Roboter mögen eine Attrak­tion fürs Auge sein. Eine freundliche Atmosphäre schaffen sie nicht.

• Musiker/-in, Tänzer/-in, Schauspieler/-in: In der menschlichen Kreativität und Ausdruckskraft liegt die Faszination für diese Kunstformen.

• Pflegefachkraft: Mit der alternden Gesellschaft braucht es immer mehr Pflegefachkräfte. Menschlichkeit ist ein wesentliches Element ihrer Arbeit.

• Erzieher/-in: Sozialkompetenz und gesellschafts­ fähiges Verhalten können einem nur Menschen beibringen.

• Lehrer/-in: Würden Sie Ihr Kind von einem Bild­schirmgerät ausbilden lassen?

More on the topic of career choice:

• So wird die Berufswahl keine Qual Die Entscheidung, wie es nach der Oberstufe weitergeht, prägt nicht das ganze Leben, aber immerhin die nächsten Jahre. Eine stimmige Berufsperspektive zu finden, kann man lernen.

• «Die Unternehmen merken, dass sie der neuen Generation mehr bieten müssen»
  Der Arbeitsforscher Oliver Strohm im Gespräch über Gewinner und Verlierer der Automatisierung und Leistungskultur in Unternehmen.