Episode 19: Digital Mastery and the Future Workforce

In today’s VUCA environment characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, explains Mark Maybury, Chief Technology Officer for Stanley Black & Decker, new technicians will need digital skills, "soft" skills, and the ability to be a lifelong learner. New, emerging jobs in a subset some call "gray collar," require not just hands-on skills and mechanical knowledge but also digital skills in computing, data analytics, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Technicians who learn new knowledge and skills the fastest and contribute the most and collaborate most effectively will be the ones who will succeed. In addition to being able to collaborate, they will need to be good at listening and very good at understanding and empathizing. A combination of "hard" skills and "soft" skills are the key things sought from job candidates in a constantly changing future workplace.