The Imperative for Reskilling in Operations-Intensive Sectors
Technological progress is rapidly automating tasks that once required human effort. This new automation revolution will have a profound impact on employment in the coming years, with nearly every job changing, many quite profoundly. As a result, the overwhelming majority of today’s employees will need to develop new skills to stay competitive.
The transition to this automation revolution has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies are emerging from the crisis into a world of workplace physical distancing, major changes in customer behaviors and preferences, and significant effects on the requirements for workforce skills and capabilities.
The future of work will require two types of changes across the workforce: upskilling, where staff gain new skills to help in their current roles, and reskilling, where staff need the capabilities to take on different or entirely new roles. This reskilling challenge will be particularly acute in operationally intensive sectors, such as manufacturing, transportation, and retail, as well as operations-aligned occupations, like maintenance, order processing, and warehouse work.
Our analysis suggests that 39 to 58 percent of the worldwide work activities in operationally intensive sectors could be automated using currently demonstrated technologies – 1.3 times the automation potential of other sectors. This means the skill demands in these industries are set to shift dramatically. Demand for physical, manual, and repetitive skills is expected to decline by nearly 30%, while demand for technological, cognitive, and social-emotional skills is projected to rise by over 30%.
The challenge is that most organizations are not yet ready to address these emerging skill gaps. Nearly two-thirds of executives report that skills are a top-ten issue, but only 7% feel fully prepared to tackle the reskilling required over the next five years. The main barriers are a lack of understanding of future automation impacts, insufficient tools to quantify the business case for reskilling, and HR infrastructure that is ill-equipped to execute a reskilling strategy.
Gamification: A Powerful Approach for Engaging and Upskilling the Frontline
To overcome these challenges and prepare their operations-focused workforces for the future, organizations must adopt a systematic approach to reskilling and capability building. A key element of this approach should be the strategic use of gamification – the application of game design elements and principles to non-game contexts to enhance engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes.
Gamification has emerged as a powerful tool for workplace training and development, particularly in high-risk, operationally intensive sectors where employee safety, procedure mastery, and situational awareness are paramount. By incorporating game mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics into training programs, organizations can create immersive, interactive experiences that drive deeper learning and better knowledge retention.
Triggering Motivation and Curiosity
At the heart of gamified training is the ability to trigger intrinsic motivation and curiosity in learners. By designing training programs that feel more like games than traditional lectures or demonstrations, organizations can tap into the inherent human desire to explore, achieve, and experience a sense of flow.
Gamified training often incorporates elements like:
- Clear, engaging goals: Learners are given specific, measurable objectives to work towards, providing a sense of purpose and motivation.
- Immediate feedback: Learners receive regular feedback on their progress, performance, and accomplishments, helping to sustain engagement.
- Safe experimentation: Gamified training environments allow for safe trial-and-error, encouraging learners to explore and take risks without fear of serious consequences.
- Compelling narratives: Gamified training weaves learning content into compelling storylines and scenarios, making the experience more memorable and relatable.
These game-inspired design principles help to create an immersive, motivating learning experience that is well-suited to the needs of operations-focused workers.
Enhancing Workplace Safety and Competency
Gamification is particularly impactful for training in high-risk, operationally intensive industries, where employee safety and procedural mastery are critical. By simulating real-world scenarios in a virtual, risk-free environment, gamified training can help workers develop the skills, situational awareness, and decision-making abilities needed to navigate complex, potentially dangerous situations.
For example, a major train operator, SJ, has implemented an immersive, gamified fire safety training program using virtual reality (VR) technology. Trainees are equipped with VR headsets and fire extinguishers, and are transported into a virtual train environment where they must locate and extinguish simulated fires. The training program provides clear goals, immediate feedback on performance, and the freedom to experiment and learn from mistakes – all within a safe, controlled setting.
Feedback from SJ’s train operators has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting that the gamified VR training felt more engaging and meaningful than traditional classroom-based instruction. Importantly, the training has also been shown to improve trainees’ procedural skills, decision-making abilities, and overall safety awareness – key competencies for frontline workers in the transportation sector.
Fostering a Culture of Continuous Learning
Beyond the direct benefits to training and skill development, gamification can also play a crucial role in cultivating a culture of continuous learning within operations-focused organizations. By making training fun, interactive, and rewarding, gamification can help break down barriers to employee participation and encourage a mindset of lifelong learning and skill development.
When training feels more like a game than a chore, workers are more likely to engage with learning opportunities proactively and to take ownership of their own professional development. This, in turn, can lead to higher levels of employee satisfaction, retention, and adaptability – all critical factors for organizations navigating the shifting skill demands of the future of work.
Designing Effective Gamified Training Programs
To successfully implement gamified training programs that drive meaningful, lasting results, organizations should consider the following best practices:
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Align with strategic goals: Gamified training must be tightly integrated with the organization’s overall business objectives and digital transformation initiatives. Ensure that the gamified elements are designed to support the development of skills and capabilities that are directly relevant to the company’s needs.
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Prioritize the user experience: The quality of the learner’s experience is paramount. Invest in intuitive, visually engaging user interfaces and ensure that the gamified elements seamlessly integrate with the training content and workflow.
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Leverage data and analytics: Harness the power of data to continuously optimize the gamified training program. Track learner progress, performance, and engagement metrics to identify areas for improvement and iterate on the design.
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Foster an ecosystem of support: Gamified training should be complemented by a broader ecosystem of learning and development resources, including mentorship, coaching, and opportunities for practical application.
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Cultivate a culture of exploration: Encourage a mindset of experimentation and continuous learning. Recognize and reward employees who actively engage with gamified training programs and demonstrate a willingness to develop new skills.
By embracing gamification as a strategic tool for upskilling and reskilling the operations-focused workforce, organizations can create immersive, motivating learning experiences that prepare their employees for the future of work.
Conclusion: Unlocking the Potential of Gamified Training
As the automation revolution continues to reshape the world of work, the need for effective reskilling and capability-building strategies has never been more pressing. Gamification offers a powerful approach for engaging and upskilling the operations-focused workforce, leveraging the inherent human desire for challenge, exploration, and achievement to drive deeper learning and better knowledge retention.
By designing gamified training programs that are strategically aligned, user-centered, and supported by data-driven optimization, organizations can create a culture of continuous learning and equip their frontline workers with the skills and competencies needed to thrive in the future of work. As the SJ case study demonstrates, the integration of immersive technologies like virtual reality can further enhance the effectiveness and impact of gamified training, providing a safe, interactive environment for skill development and knowledge application.
Embracing gamification as a core element of their reskilling and upskilling efforts, operations-focused organizations can unlock new levels of employee engagement, safety, and adaptability – positioning themselves for success in the face of the ongoing technological transformation.
