The Notion Transferable Skills And Gig Economy In Modern Worls

Whatever way you spin it, our economy is much different today than the one our parents grew up in. Many people will cycle through lots of jobs throughout their careers, which means that today’s market values versatility, adaptability, creativity, and a drive to succeed, among many other qualities. Essential and transferable skills are an extremely important part of the new economic state. Essential skills are skills that are necessary for any and all jobs in the 21st century. These can include reading, writing, numeracy, and communication skills. Transferable skills are skills developed in one area that can be easily used in another. These can include leadership and management, analytical skills, and problem solving.

Employers today will look for both essential and transferable skills in their potential employees, which is why it is so important to possess them. For example, say you are the hiring manager of a Fortune 500 company, and you are presented with two applications with resumes attached. The two candidates are applying for an IT job that is considered to be a very important position in the company. You call their references and find out the following: the first applicant has moderate education in their field, but has a lot of experience and the skills to go with it. The second applicant has a much higher education, but not as much experience and certainly no transferable skills. In the new economy, the first applicant is much more likely to be hired than the second in situations such as this. This is because the first applicant will be more adaptable in times of challenge for the company, and has been proven to be reliable in terms of skill set and work ethic.

Much of our economy focuses on ‘gigs,’ or temporary, focussed jobs. Many people today will essentially become independent contractors in their field, rarely staying in a job for more than a couple years. These workers will take jobs with singular objectives and complete them without the distractions of permanent positions and the copious responsibilities that come with them. ‘Gig Economy’ employees often will not get caught up in office culture and thus are able to use their talents much more effectively by putting all of their energy into one project. Once they are finished, they move on to the next project. This shows a lot of versatility, because with the constantly changing jobs come unique environments, challenges, and circumstances. This can be difficult for those who lack the motivation needed to adapt to their surroundings. As well as this, people in the Gig Economy will often take jobs that mean more to them than money; their projects are almost always connected to a social need or personal motivation or passion, and that means that they hold their work to the highest standards. After all, these projects aren’t just an obligation, they hold a deeper meaning.

As I mentioned above, many workers nowadays can be described as independent contractors. They make their own work, they are self-starters, and, above all, they are entrepreneurs at heart. Entrepreneurship can mean many things to many different people, but one consistent theme is the idea that an entrepreneur is somebody who is willing to take risks to further their goals and ideals, who holds a devotion to their work, and who values independence when they are working. Many people today are entrepreneurs because, in working and specialising in an area they are passionate about, and in being able to create their own work environment, they are allowed to be more flexible in their work and become more motivated to succeed in their area of employment. For example, as early as forty years ago, somebody who loved business and technology would probably be looking for a permanent technician position at a well-established company. This person would likely be sat behind a desk in an office in a nine-to-five job and would not be given the opportunity to let themselves be innovative in their workplace. In contrast, a 21st century worker would likely seek out temporary positions on projects, perhaps for a start-up company, which would allow them to get their creative juices flowing and show their true talents. In some cases, that technician may start their own company; perhaps they would provide telephone assistance with algorithm programs and online marketing strategy to companies from their own home, or become a computer systems repairman for hire, allowing them to make their own hours and set time aside to pursue their passions.

In conclusion, our economy has changed much over the years, but it has changed for the better, and our new economic values will encourage creativity and reflection. The 21st century has brought about the rise of the aptly named ‘Gig Economy,’ a growing subsect of workers that value independence and innovation above all else. It has brought us to a market that looks for adaptability and a large set of transferable and essential skills, rather than asking the simple, generalising question, “who has the most education?” We seek out leaders and self-starters to pave the way for small businesses, and we have proven that devotion and passion will produce higher-quality work than high salary alone. Our future is very different from the one our parents envisioned, but it cannot be argued that it will serve us well.