Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, warns that overemphasis on university professions creates a labour market crisis. In an interview with the BBC he stresses that technical professions, such as plumbers and electricians, gain equally strong prospects. Investigations show that 38% of employers plan to hire fewer graduates due to artificial intelligence, while 41% of workers fear disappearance of admission levels. At the same time, 61% of young people under 28 now consider technical professions attractive, with AI creating new opportunities in practical areas that cannot be automated.
Analyticalally:
In recent years, the traditional notion that the university is the only safe route to a successful career begins to be strongly contested. With technological developments and in particular the rise of artificial intelligence transforming the labour market, more and more young people turn to practical professions that were previously considered less «attractive».
Did we finally put too much emphasis on the university and let young people face a labour market crisis? This is what Larry Fink, president and CEO of BlackRock, the world's largest asset management company.
In a recent interview with the BBC, the billionaire businessman stated that for decades we idealized professions in areas such as finance and law, while underestimating technical professions. But now, as developments in artificial intelligence threaten initial level jobs, he believes that «We must balance this approach.» and recognize that a career as a plumber or electrician «can be equally powerful».
Technological developments are rapidly changing the working landscape, as many recent graduates see. According to a report by the British Institute of Standards, a quarter of employers believe that all or most of the jobs of beginner workers can be performed by artificial intelligence, according to Independent.
Another research by the recruitment company Randstad shows that 38% of employers intend to hire fewer graduates the following year due to artificial intelligence, while 41% of employees fear that admission level positions may disappear within the next five years.
The new tasks brought by AI
However, there is the other aspect: as Fink pointed out in an annual letter to BlackRock shareholders, the explosion of artificial intelligence will create many new jobs «related to electricians, solders and plumbers», to support the vast infrastructure required. «Artificial intelligence will create many jobs and we are not as a society prepared to cover them.», stated. «This, to me, is a crisis.».
Should Generation Z and Generation Alpha reconsider the traditional view that any degree opens professional doors and turns to longer-lasting skills in time?
Haley Reynolds, director of public relations, has three children in puberty and wants to encourage them to pursue careers less vulnerable to artificial intelligence. As he says, if a child has a clear goal that requires university studies, then he deserves to follow him. However, the university is expensive and, with increased cost of living, there are many opportunities that can be equally beneficial.
Her 17-year-old son, Freddie, is considering pursuing professional training as a personal trainer. He can stay home, save money and build his future.
They prefer technical professions
Looks like there's already a change of mindset. A study by Barratt Redrow showed that almost half the teenagers believe that a technical profession is more attractive than an office job. Other Draper Tools research showed that 61% of young people under 28 consider technical professions «cool», while 55% have a more positive view than five years ago.
On social media, there are videos showing the everyday life of young workers in the building. Even Hannah Spencer, a plumber who became a Green MP, shared her experience with plastering lessons.
18-year-old Freya, after school, knew she didn't want to continue at the university. He preferred to work directly and began apprenticeship as an electrician. Although the job was demanding, it states very satisfied: «It is a job with good rewards that will not be replaced by artificial intelligence».
Αντίστοιχα, η 30χρονη Έβι ακολούθησε αρχικά πανεπιστημιακές σπουδές, αλλά στη συνέχεια αποφάσισε να μάθει ένα πρακτικό επάγγελμα για μεγαλύτερη ανεξαρτησία. Εκπαιδεύτηκε στο σοβάτισμα και εργάστηκε σε διάφορους τομείς, από κατασκευές μέχρι κινηματογραφικά σετ.
Όπως τονίζει, ένα πρακτικό επάγγελμα προσφέρει ασφάλεια: ακόμη κι αν κάποια εργασία χαθεί λόγω τεχνολογίας, μπορείς πάντα να βασιστείς σε μια χειρωνακτική δεξιότητα. Ωστόσο, επισημαίνει ότι δεν είναι εύκολη λύση. Απαιτεί χρόνο, εκπαίδευση και επιμονή, ενώ ειδικά για τις γυναίκες ο χώρος παραμένει ανδροκρατούμενος.
Συνοψίζοντας, ένα τεχνικό επάγγελμα είναι «μια δεξιότητα ζωής». Μπορεί να ξεκινήσει κανείς από τα 18, αλλά πρόκειται για μια μακρά πορεία που απαιτεί αφοσίωση.
