Machines already perform one in five tasks worldwide!

Already more than half of the tasks performed by workers are carried out with the help of machines, according to the ‘Future of Jobs 2025’ report by the World Economic Forum. In 30 per cent of tasks, machines only provide support for humans, while one in five (22 per cent) is performed independently by machines and algorithms. In a five-year perspective, digital devices and solutions will play an even greater role. The challenges awaiting Polish and international employers and the perspective of employees of different nationalities are commented on by Smart Solutions HR experts.

Digital transformation

In 2030, out of 100 tasks, humans alone will perform one in three (33%). The rest will be divided almost equally between technology (34%) and human-machine collaboration (33%). Increasing the availability of digital solutions will become a key driver of change. Over the next five years, trends related to artificial intelligence and information processing technology will lead to the displacement of nine million jobs and the simultaneous creation of eleven million new jobs. AI and machine learning specialists, renewable energy engineers, data analytics specialists or application and software developers are the occupations that will grow the fastest. Such processes could lead to new niches in the labour market, but also increase the pressure to reorganise among older workers.

In the first instance, this trend will result in changes in the competences sought. The biggest shift will be from physical and manual work to skills in operating machines, working with robots and cobots, configuring and repairing equipment. This means that vocational schools, technical schools and universities will have to adapt their programmes to educate professionals prepared to work with technology. In the context of foreigners, their skills, not their background, will be most important. Younger foreign workers are more likely to be able to retool and adapt to new realities, and knowing several languages can help them do so. On the other hand, older people who do not acquire the right qualifications may have difficulty finding employment and should steer towards jobs that are not replaceable by machines or those where implementation is simple and quick, says Natalia Myskova, Managing Director at Smart Solutions HR.

This phenomenon will eliminate many simple jobs, which may also mean retraining in industries that currently employ a large number of foreigners. Administrative staff, cashiers, customer service specialists, printing workers, security guards, accountants or graphic designers are among the professions that will be in decline.

Automation and artificial intelligence will undoubtedly affect the labour market, but there will still be many jobs where humans cannot be replaced. There will still be room for hiring in sectors requiring creativity, flexibility and direct contact with people, adds Włodzimierz Kucharczuk Project Manager at Smart Solutions HR.

Profile of the ideal employee in the age of AI

‘It is not only occupations directly related to technological developments that will gain in importance. According to the report, farmers, suppliers, construction workers, salespeople, teachers or food-processing workers are also among the occupations that will be in increasing demand. This is due to demographic changes and the ecological transition. In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of workers from countries such as the Philippines, Latin America and Indonesia. The migration of workers from Ukraine to other EU countries has resulted in their place being taken by specialists from Nepal, India or the Philippines. In food processing and agriculture, we see a steadily increasing number of workers from these countries. In addition, workers from India and Nepal find their way well into the heavy industry sector, where they work as welders or locksmiths,’ emphasises Wlodzimierz Kucharczuk. Similar changes can be seen in sectors related to logistics and manufacturing, which are increasingly employing workers from outside Poland. It is in these industries that foreigners account for a significant proportion of the workforce.

Most foreigners work in the following industries: logistics (as warehousemen – in Smart Solutions HR they account for 40% of the employees), manufacturing (assembly and testing – 35%) and agriculture (seasonal fruit and vegetable harvesting – up to 10% of the employees depending on the season). In construction and transport (couriers and taxi drivers), they represent a total of 10% of the workforce. In contrast, there are few foreigners in occupations requiring direct communication with customers, such as salespeople or service professionals, due to the language barrier. However, it is worth remembering that the generation of children of foreigners already growing up in Poland may increase their presence in these professions in the future thanks to their fluency in the language, adds Natalia Myskova.

Not (just) CVs anymore

The Future of Jobs 2025 report shows that the skills gap is the biggest barrier for employers in terms of driving change. 85% of employers consider it a priority to upskill their workforce, while one in seven plan to hire new employees with the desired skills.

Employers do not have to rely only on the CVs of potential candidates. It is more important to comprehensively assess their skills, for example through simulations or psychological tests.
At Smart Solutions HR, we offer our clients this type of support in recruitment processes in the Assessment Centre – says Agnieszka Kolanowska, Strategic Partnership Manager at Smart Solutions HR – Through simulations, psychological tests, case studies and team interviews, experts make a thorough assessment of candidates’ competences, identify potential areas for development and assess the candidate’s ability to work in a team. We examine competencies first and foremost. Such activities result in a more complete and authentic picture of the candidate, which in the long term is a benefit for both the employee and the employer,’ she adds.

Data source: ‘Future of Jobs Report 2025’ (World Economic Forum), Smart Solutions HR’s own data.