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2 minute read
THE NEW
The new workforce has become increasingly attainable due, in part, to advancements in technology and changes in work culture. Remote work and online collaboration tools have made it possible for companies to hire workers from anywhere in the country, and work with them, seamlessly. This has opened up a wider pool of talent for businesses to draw from and has also made it easier for individuals to find work that fits their lifestyle and which they can do from wherever they are. Additionally, the gig economy is growing and providing more opportunities for individuals to work on a project-by-project basis, rather than their being tied to a traditional 9-to-5 job. The rise of freelance and contract work has created more flexible and diverse job opportunities. As a result, the new workforce is more attainable, now, than ever before.
Another important aspect of today’s transitioning and evolving workforce is the growing emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. More companies are making a concerted effort to create a more inclusive workplace, through initiatives such as more robust diversity recruiting, conducting unconscious bias training, and providing a variety of resource groups for their workers.
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Overall, the new workforce is becoming more accessible and attainable as technology and societal changes open up to remote work options and make it more diverse and inclusive, with alternative career paths. With a greater emphasis on hiring and promoting individuals from marginalized communities, the accessible workforce is growing, exponentially. This shift is being driven by a growing awareness of the benefits of diversity and the need to address systemic biases in the hiring process.
Remote work has made it easier for individuals with disabilities, or those living in rural areas, to access job opportunities. In addition, there is a growing focus on skillsbased hiring, rather than relying solely on traditional educational or career backgrounds. This approach allows for a larger set of applicants to be considered for positions, as it values skills and experiences over other qualification formats.
VP of Facebook Reality Labs,
Andrew Bosworth, tweeted about how the removal of physical location barriers expands job opportunities, “The future we envision for work allows for infinite workspaces that will unlock social and economic opportunities for people, regardless of barriers like physical location. It will take time to get there, and we continue to build toward this.”
In-office jobs, by definition and design, are limited to workers who live in nearby areas. If work product is done completely remotely, location and proximity are no longer requirements, which provides an extensively larger workforce. Without geographic limitations, employers can hire candidates from a wider pool, accessing an extensively larger workforce, as well as working toward remedying the lack of diversity present in many industries, companies, and departments.
With the rise of cloud-based tools and virtual communications platforms it is now possible for businesses to hire and manage workers from anywhere in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increased reliance on remote work, as many companies have implemented remote work policies to protect the health and safety of their employees. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of people working from home, and a corresponding increase in the number of people working from home., and a corresponding increase in the use of technology tools, such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and cloud-based collaboration platforms. With the rise of cloud-based tools and virtual communications platforms, it is now possible for businesses to hire and manage workers from anywhere in the country.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of remote work, with many companies and workers realizing the benefits of working from home. As a result, the pool of available talent for companies to choose from has expanded, making it easier for them to find the right candidates for the jobs. This shift in the way we work and hire has the potential to continue increasing the workforce, as it eliminates geographical and other barriers to employment. As a result, the new workforce is considerably larger and more attainable, now.
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***Blue Star Families is a national organization, founded in 2009 by military spouses.
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