RALEIGH – For those who know me, or have engaged with RIoT, the nonprofit that I run, you know that I am bullish on the Data Economy.  We are at a transition point in our economy where every industry is going through what has been coined a “digital transformation.”  In short – businesses of all kinds are deriving new value through the collection and real-time analysis of data to enable automation.  Those who are best at automating, also become the best at predicting future customer needs and create a virtuous cycle of customer satisfaction, engagement and loyalty.

Tom Snyder, RIoT executive director

As this transition unfolds, I am frequently asked about the future of jobs.  It is a fair question, as many of us associate automation with the replacement of factory jobs with robots.  Will self-driving cars obliterate truck and uber drivers?  Will autonomous combines eliminate field workers?  The truthful answer is “yes”.  Many job types today will be replaced by new technology solutions as has occurred throughout all of history (see many blacksmiths or buggy drivers today?)

Every technological revolution has created new jobs that require new skills.  We could not have envisioned, at the start of the Internet Age, that software developers would be some of the highest paying and in-demand roles needed in every market.  Completely new areas of law have emerged, creating new jobs that didn’t exist before.  Entertainment has completely transformed, enabling people to create their own personal brands and make money through social media platforms.

In the Data Age, many new job types and categories will be created.  We don’t know what all of them will be, but there are a number of early trends.

EVERYTHING WILL BE INTERNET CONNECTED

Even today, there is a growing need for Operational Technology (OT) specialists.  In the same way that Information Technology (IT) jobs keep our companies operating behind the scenes, OT keeps our infrastructure running smoothly.  Every pump and air conditioner and fire hydrant and transformer will be internet connected, collecting data that enables automation.  The people who install and service that equipment will need baseline skills in Internet of Things technologies.

How to engage: The Community College system is leading the way in providing the right training – for example Wilson CC just launched a new fiber optic splicing technician curriculum.

SOFTWARE POSITIONS ARE EASIER TO REACH

No code and low code software tools are proliferating, lowering the educational barrier to entry to high paying jobs.  A tremendous number of technology positions exist that do not require a four-year college degree, making them accessible to those for which college was out of reach, or who are in mid-career transition. Technical certification programs have existed for years, but increasingly are opening the door to better jobs at higher