68 per cent of the respondents in Pakistan were excited about the job perspectives in internet and digital sectors. PHOTO: AFP
Jobs of the future -- a survey, conducted by Telenor Group in six countries including Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Singapore, Malaysia and India revealed that 68% of the respondents in Pakistan were excited about job prospects in the cyber and digital sectors. The result mirrored the average of 63% of youngsters across all six nations saying that mobile/internet technology would be ‘important’ in their careers by 2020. Only 1% of the nation's young thought that technology was ‘not really important’ for their futures.
Over 60% of Pakistan's mobile users have 3G/4G services
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The survey also concluded that the youth considered non-technical skills to be important too with Pakistani (37%), Indian (36%), and Bangladeshi youth (34%) maintaining that the most important skills required to secure great jobs in future would be the ‘ability to inspire others, and (exhibit) leadership capability.’ Pakistani youth rated data analysis, research and interpretation to be the least important skills needed for future jobs.
Robots will replace humans in many future professions
While almost all of the nation's youth surveyed believed that robots would replace humans in the near future, 34% predicted that robots would take over most jobs in the manufacturing and engineering industries. Interestingly, 26% thought the increased use of robots would not affect them while 9% said they would like to be the ones creating the robots.
Hungry for technology and human connections
Youth from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and India supported the statement ‘It’s important to understand all kinds of technology – I want to know as much as I can!' Respondents from Singapore and Malaysia thought the best thing about the Internet was that it connected one with all kinds of people and ideas.
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“It’s fascinating to see that young adults not only revere technology and the opportunities it presents them, but also see themselves as compassionate, and highly creative. The fact they are aligned in not only believing that technology and the internet are crucial for their careers, but that they are excited about this, is very motivating to us. They reflect the way Telenor Group views Asia—as a vibrant region with talented and promising youth who look to make meaningful contributions in their jobs of the future,” Telenor Group People Development Head of Digital Capabilities Yasu Sato said.
Commenting on the findings of the survey, Telenor Pakistan CEO Irfan Wahab Khan said, “It gives me great pleasure to learn that a majority of Pakistan’s youth is excited about future opportunities in the Internet and digital sectors. Although not a revelation per se, the stats are supportive of our commitment to larger digital inclusion in the country,” he said.
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