@NickOttens Challenging question. I rather prefer commenting than answering, by making an analogy with the 2008 financial crisis. After the crisis we saw more interest in global and local platforms that work for a more ethical and sustainable workplace and even economy, like: B-Corporation, Humanistic Management and Conscious Capitalism, to name a few. However, the impact of all these initiatives is great, but in numbers is still really small. I think that 'after' the Covid something similar will happen, and more consciousness in the world will help increase these initiatives and job positions to help people deal with their emotional blockages to relate authentically with others--solitude will increase after the Covid, which is really bad, so new options could be part of the job market to reduce this social tragedy.
As stated at the beginning, your question gives for a lot of thought and options.
I assume that 'in the wake' of the coronavirus means that we are talking about jobs that directly or indirectly address the 'after effects' of the pandemic.(?)
In that regard, certainly psychological professionals (certified therapists, counselors) will be in need for some percentage of the population that will be most impacted ('psycho-emotionally') by social isolation and self-quarantining.
There will also be a need for bio-medical technicians (to operate, maintain bio-med equipment (e.g., x-ray machines, kidney dialysis machines, at home ventilators, etc.) used in hospitals, clinics, convalescent/nursing homes, private residences). Medical supply inventory specialists will also be needed to support these and general staff.
As a computer science-related occupation, entry (or support)-level bio-informaticists will be needed to assist with epidemiological modeling (data collection/assimilation/categorization and entry, possibly also coding). While most professional bio-informaticists have degrees/academic training in biology and computer science (typically, advanced training in R language for data visualization), certified assistant (or Associate's degree level) bio-informaticists could be recruited and trained to fill gaps in data collection, assimilation and (epidemiological) modeling.
More broadly, scientific and demographic data collection (always needed in our 'Information Society')
These aforementioned occupations all require some degree of study, training and testing to validate certification (by existing, accredited professionals, institutions, or professional certifying organizations).
In regards to a 'job training' XPrize challenge, this beings up the issue of proper (academic) training and accreditation. Thus, it follows from this assumption that there needs to be a massive ramp-up of certification training programs -- I foresee community colleges stepping in here in a big way (e.g., offering 4-6 month training certificate programs) -- and ready to take on a sizable in-flow of students (with appropriate scholarships, tuition waivers/discounts or deferments).
A high school diploma / GED (possibly with a 2.5 [C average] or higher grade) will be the minimum qualification for program acceptance. That said, ensuring that the burgeoning work force (of low-skilled workers) possesses GEDs may mean universally providing accelerated GED programs (perhaps with attached skills training programs).
Enlisting Community colleges (and/or other accredited educational institutions) will be key to provided a new (moderate level) skilled work force. Fortunately, remote educational platforms are already in place to begin this should there be a new pandemic or second wave outbreak of an established virus.
[NOTE to Forum Moderator: feel free to repost this elsewhere if you think it is more relevant in a different Future of Work forum; I may do so myself]
It has occurred to me that there is one major sector of our economy that is being largely left out in our discussion of a 'post COVID-19' Economy: the 'green' tech / renewable energy sector.
The 'back drop' to the current pandemic is Climate Change (which, according to many scientists, will exacerbate epidemics and pandemics via general warming impacts, land use changes/habitat destruction, and weakening human immune systems)...We know that we must shift to low carbon (or carbon neutral/negative) economies...So, is there capacity (via green tech design, manufacturing, installation, transport/maintenance) to train and absorb a burgeoning 'green work force'? It would seem the answer is 'yes' -- provided the massive investment needed to do so is there.
This is NOT a time to 'put aside' the idea of a 'Green New Deal' but to accelerate it! (consider also that demand for oil has plunged and OPEC nations are -- for the first time -- unanimously cutting production).
Here is some reading on the topic (note: the writing is tilted decidedly Left, but it makes many valid points):
It has occurred to me that there is one major sector of our economy that is being largely left out in our discussion of a 'post COVID-19' Economy: the 'green' tech / renewable energy sector.
[...]
This is NOT a time to 'put aside' the idea of a 'Green New Deal' but to accelerate it!
Very good point, and we don't disagree. In fact, our team looked into green economy jobs, but the challenge there is that even those that might seem relatively low-skilled, like solar panel installers, require more training and certification than we could reasonably expect teams to accomplish within the timeframe we have in mind for this competition.
There may be jobs we've overlooked, though, or ways to speed up training and/or certification we haven't though of. So I don't think we want to exclude the sector, for sure - but it does pose significant challenges.
I found this part intriguing: Share employees in cross-industry talent exchanges.
For example, supermarket Kroger is temporarily borrowing furloughed employees for 30 days from Sysco Corporation, a wholesale food distributor to restaurants that has been hit hard by the coronavirus.
I do wonder, though, to what extent this can be replicated across industries.
@NickOttens Glad you enjoyed it! I do think it's a good thing to think about within the context of future of work! I hope you are safe in Barcelona and wish you and yours safe passage through the crisis!
@AdrianFC Thanks. It is an 'invitation' to think more about how to have highly flexible and adaptable companies in the world. The best case that comes to mind is W.L. Gore. They don't have the traditional 'strategic planning' exercise. They only pursue 'innovation', and without the limitations of traditional strategic planning they can evolve to almost whatever space in the marketplace that they find a purpose. That explains why they are highly competitive in sectors totally different: computer servers' cables+hospital patient liquid tubes+electrical guitar's cords+goretex.
How do you think about the overlap between this question and the proposed Health / Teacher corps (e.g. proposals by Colorado Senator Bennet)? Would that count as a high-growth position? Or is it only the private sector?
Comments
As stated at the beginning, your question gives for a lot of thought and options.
In that regard, certainly psychological professionals (certified therapists, counselors) will be in need for some percentage of the population that will be most impacted ('psycho-emotionally') by social isolation and self-quarantining.
There will also be a need for bio-medical technicians (to operate, maintain bio-med equipment (e.g., x-ray machines, kidney dialysis machines, at home ventilators, etc.) used in hospitals, clinics, convalescent/nursing homes, private residences). Medical supply inventory specialists will also be needed to support these and general staff.
As a computer science-related occupation, entry (or support)-level bio-informaticists will be needed to assist with epidemiological modeling (data collection/assimilation/categorization and entry, possibly also coding). While most professional bio-informaticists have degrees/academic training in biology and computer science (typically, advanced training in R language for data visualization), certified assistant (or Associate's degree level) bio-informaticists could be recruited and trained to fill gaps in data collection, assimilation and (epidemiological) modeling.
More broadly, scientific and demographic data collection (always needed in our 'Information Society')
These aforementioned occupations all require some degree of study, training and testing to validate certification (by existing, accredited professionals, institutions, or professional certifying organizations).
In regards to a 'job training' XPrize challenge, this beings up the issue of proper (academic) training and accreditation. Thus, it follows from this assumption that there needs to be a massive ramp-up of certification training programs -- I foresee community colleges stepping in here in a big way (e.g., offering 4-6 month training certificate programs) -- and ready to take on a sizable in-flow of students (with appropriate scholarships, tuition waivers/discounts or deferments).
A high school diploma / GED (possibly with a 2.5 [C average] or higher grade) will be the minimum qualification for program acceptance. That said, ensuring that the burgeoning work force (of low-skilled workers) possesses GEDs may mean universally providing accelerated GED programs (perhaps with attached skills training programs).
Enlisting Community colleges (and/or other accredited educational institutions) will be key to provided a new (moderate level) skilled work force. Fortunately, remote educational platforms are already in place to begin this should there be a new pandemic or second wave outbreak of an established virus.
[NOTE to Forum Moderator: feel free to repost this elsewhere if you think it is more relevant in a different Future of Work forum; I may do so myself]
The 'back drop' to the current pandemic is Climate Change (which, according to many scientists, will exacerbate epidemics and pandemics via general warming impacts, land use changes/habitat destruction, and weakening human immune systems)...We know that we must shift to low carbon (or carbon neutral/negative) economies...So, is there capacity (via green tech design, manufacturing, installation, transport/maintenance) to train and absorb a burgeoning 'green work force'? It would seem the answer is 'yes' -- provided the massive investment needed to do so is there.
This is NOT a time to 'put aside' the idea of a 'Green New Deal' but to accelerate it! (consider also that demand for oil has plunged and OPEC nations are -- for the first time -- unanimously cutting production).
Here is some reading on the topic (note: the writing is tilted decidedly Left, but it makes many valid points):
The Next Economic Stimulus Must Include Green New Deal Measures
https://truthout.org/articles/the-next-economic-stimulus-must-include-green-new-deal-measures/
Very good point, and we don't disagree. In fact, our team looked into green economy jobs, but the challenge there is that even those that might seem relatively low-skilled, like solar panel installers, require more training and certification than we could reasonably expect teams to accomplish within the timeframe we have in mind for this competition.
There may be jobs we've overlooked, though, or ways to speed up training and/or certification we haven't though of. So I don't think we want to exclude the sector, for sure - but it does pose significant challenges.
I found this part intriguing: Share employees in cross-industry talent exchanges.
I do wonder, though, to what extent this can be replicated across industries.
https://www.gore.com
The case can be found in the 'Future of Management' great book by Gary Hamel.
garyhamel.com/sites/default/files/uploads/future_of_management.pdf
https://amazon.com/dp/B004OC07OE/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
https://youtube.com/watch?v=YYaYwCA-FaM