Latest updated: 06 July 2023

In a constantly changing world, it is crucial for companies to future-secure their workforce. Employees need to continuously develop their skills and abilities to meet the challenges of tomorrow. At the same time, companies must be capable of retaining employees with essential competencies and attracting new talents to meet future needs.

The fact that the world is undergoing rapid change is evident to everyone. Dramatic global events have altered the conditions of globalisation, and we are witnessing rapid digital and technological advancements that will inevitably lead to significant changes in the workplace in the coming years. This includes automation, AI, and many other factors that will transform the way we work in the future.

The way companies address these changes and challenges will be crucial to their future fate. It primarily involves ensuring that the workforce, the employees, possess or acquire the right knowledge and competencies to perform well in the future.

So, what can you, as a manager, do to future-proof your company's workforce? Let's take a closer look at some fundamental factors that will be of great importance as you lead the company into the future.

Develop competence and talent

The most important and fundamental way to equip your workforce is to continuously develop employees' competencies and create a culture of learning that always taps into and stimulates people's talents. This involves creating a clear picture of the ideal competencies required for a particular role and then comparing them with each employee's actual competencies. Through such evaluation, you can identify and fill any knowledge gaps and development needs.

However, it is also essential to identify these needs by simply engaging in conversations with employees. They are often aware of their knowledge gaps and the type of development they require. By regularly checking in with employees, you can also gain insights into their motivations—what areas do they want to develop in? When there is internal motivation within employees, the chances are high that the company can derive significant value from it. The best competence development often occurs in an area where the desires of both the company and the employee align.

Become an attractive employer

If you want to retain and recruit talented employees, you must also be a good employer with a good reputation and an attractive brand. Future employees, especially the best ones, will not settle for just receiving a monthly paycheck. They have higher expectations. They expect the employer to offer good development opportunities, a high degree of autonomy combined with strong teamwork. They also demand that the company takes significant responsibility in areas such as sustainability, social issues, and plays a positive role in society.

These are high standards, but on the other hand, you also have high expectations of your employees. And the company that does everything to become an attractive employer will benefit greatly in the long run. This includes retaining existing employees for longer periods and having the company's good reputation spread, allowing you to recruit the talents of tomorrow.

Assist employees in managing stress and change

Let's be honest: Almost no one finds change easy to handle. We are all uncertain about what the new working life will entail for us personally and whether we will be able to meet the new demands. An increasingly complex, changing, and dynamic work environment brings stress, anxiety, and uncertainty—it is virtually inevitable.

An important way to secure your workforce, therefore, is to provide employees with the support they need to manage stress and rapid changes. Create a work culture where people take care of each other and prioritise each other's well-being and development. Also, provide employees with tangible support, such as knowledge and tools that facilitate handling change, as well as coaching or mentoring.

Meaning and motivation

Last but not least, if you want to bring your employees along on the journey toward the future, you must prioritise their motivation. There are many ways to achieve this, but a crucial factor in nurturing motivation is the sense of purpose. Employees need to feel that the company contributes something meaningful to society, and they also need to see their own meaningful contribution within the larger context. The sense of purpose and motivation is further strengthened when employees are provided with opportunities to develop both professionally and personally.

The path to a future-proofed workforce begins and ends with employees' needs. It certainly involves the need for new knowledge and skills, but also the need for a positive work environment, well-being, and personal growth.