Automation’s coming but we don’t need new skills, say 1 in 3 UK workers
13 Nov 2019
More than one in three UK workers surveyed don’t feel they need to learn new skills, even though nearly half believe part of their jobs could be automated.
Details are contained in the latest survey by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for its annual industry health check Mind the Skills Gap.
It shows that despite mounting evidence of automation spreading to many more sectors, the percentage of respondents willing to consider new skills has not risen year on year.
Equally worrying, some 55% of small to medium enterprise decision makers think sections of their operation are less likely to be affected over the next five years. However, this at least represents a fall – last year, nearly two thirds (62%) believed the same.
The UK's goal to be a leading digital economy cannot be met if the capabilities of its workforce aren't up to scratch
Andrew Harding, chief executive – management accounting, CIMA
Commenting on the report Andrew Harding, CIMA chief executive – management accounting, commented:
"This is the second year we've run this research and it continues to show there's an apathy towards learning new skills and more worryingly, a lack of desire to learn digital skills. The UK's goal to be a leading digital economy cannot be met if the capabilities of its workforce aren't up to scratch.
"Attitudes to learning and reskilling need to change – employees, employers and policy-makers need to embrace the philosophy of learning, unlearning and relearning to support growth. A positive approach here will have a positive impact on UK productivity and economic growth."
Photo: Modern factories rely increasingly on automation by firms such as Fanuc, with implications for existing jobs in manufacturing
