Experts seek deployment of technology to tackle workplace challenges
Human capital development experts have called for unrelenting technological initiatives to overcome challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in workplaces.
The experts, at the just-concluded 28th yearly trainers’ conference of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD), held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, stressed that the ‘new normal’ regime imposed by the pandemic has altered work schedules, which require dynamic approaches in enhancing the productivity of employees.
In her keynote address, the state’s Head of Service, Selimot Ottun, said to achieve excellent service delivery in the workplace, the environment demands proactive approaches, leveraged on proper technology.
Ottun, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Service Matters, Ogun State, Dahunsi Ogunleye, said with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation in the workplace has changed with its own challenges.
According to her, “The world is changing. If we look at what has happened in the last two years, we will understand that we are now working in the new world and what people now refer to as ‘the new normal.’
“The emergence of COVID-19 has opened a new vista in our work environment. This means we cannot continue to work the way we have been doing before.”
In coping with the new challenges, Ottun revealed some initiatives, planked on technology and taken by the state to cope with current realities.
She said about 6,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables will be laid across the state to provide easily accessible and affordable broadband Internet connectivity across the nooks and crannies of the state, including health and educational institutions.
Earlier, NITAD president and chairman of the council, Ayoade Igbeyi, pointed out that the conference, with the theme: ‘Beyond Learning to Performance’, was to further enhance the skills of the workforce in coping with the challenges posed by the pandemic, among others in the workplace.
She said: “The import of COVID-19 on Learning and Development (L and D) in the last two years cannot be wished away easily. The resultant “new normal” has thrown challenges in the path of L and D and we need to take the bull by the horn, face the challenges, not only to survive but also to thrive.
“Job disruptions that were created by COVID-19, technology and skills gap afford us the opportunity to take a peep at and re-think the future of work in a transformational way. L and D should be at the front line in the growing quest for a new mindset of taking action to restore and reshape the workplace performance.”
A fellow of the institute, V.A. Adebayo, stressed the need for appropriate technology to further promote effectiveness and efficiency in production.
He canvassed continuous training and development of the workforce to cope with the emerging challenges in the workplace.
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