Reviewing Skills Needed to Leverage 4IR Technology to Remain Relevant: Insights from a Makerspace

Abstract

Remaining relevant has been a widespread topic not only in business, but in academia as well. This is because we are experiencing rapid and transformative changes attributable to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

Several efforts not only in the global arena, but in South Africa as well have been made to address these changes such as the development of innovation policies, new business models and even curriculum transformation. However, a point of concern is how to ensure staff remain abreast with relevant skills in an ever-digitized world. Arguments have noted that this requires a rethink of not only what work is done, but where it is done. Notwithstanding, this concept has great potential in reshaping organizational structures, cultures and the very daily processes of what we as employees do. What skills then can employers drive to ensure technological updates do not surpass their staffs’ abilities? To address this question, the presentation will firstly review skills needed from established research on what is required to coordinate and leverage 4IR technology to create value. To make it more relevant for workers in the academic field, an example of these skills’ application is then presented. This will include certain solutions that were developed which utilized emerging technologies such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. These insights stem from an innovation environment perspective which is based in an academic library, the makerspace. This is because using these skills has allowed the makerspace environment to remain a center of innovation excellence for both researchers and entrepreneurs. Core to which are how certain technical skills, that aligns with literature, facilitated specialized solutions to be built. Also, the usage of soft skills to integrate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. Using these insights, stakeholders within the African region can ensure they do not fall further behind on the technological frontier. Key to which is a commitment to continually gaining new knowledge and skills such as those that will be highlighted in this session.