At some point, companies will need to face how to continue operating their business after the pandemic has ended. While it will likely take years for this scenario to become reality, the time for planning is now.
During the BlackTechFest event, panelists discussed what actions need to be taken in order to seamlessly transition into a post-pandemic workforce.
“I think it’s obvious to us right now, but something that we couldn’t have predicted 12 months ago, is that we are all going to have much more flexibility in where we choose to work from, which I think is great, especially for us parents who need that time at home, who are missing out on precious times,” said Gabriela Hersham, CEO of coworking space Huckletree.
Julian Hall, CEO of Ultra Education, says that the acceleration of certain skill sets, such as critical thinking and teamwork, will boost the entrepreneurial community. He explains that with millions of young people struggling to find work, they may turn to creating the job they want.
“In working with communities who don’t often have access to a brilliant work pipeline, the schools are often better pivoted towards creating their own employment and creating their own dream job because many of them simply don’t have the networks to get them into the types of work that they would love,” said Hall.
The most impactful trend that all panelists agreed on is the need for a more diverse workforce that does not focus on meeting a quota. This means more than posting a photo on the company website touting a diverse workplace — it means real action should take place.
