Mr Mohammed Amuni, Registrar, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, has advised staff members of the university to embrace new skills to remain relevant in the post-COVID-19 world of work.
Amuni gave the advice on Wednesday at the sixth virtual training for workers of the university with the titled: “COVID-19 and University Administration: Transitioning to a New Normal” in Lagos.
He urged them to invest their time and resources in acquiring new skills and knowledge to remain relevant during and after COVID-19 pandemic.
“Workers need to adapt to COVID-19 pandemic-enforced changes in the workplace by utilising their free time to acquire relevant skills in order to stay ahead of the pack without being left behind.
“Government’s directives on lockdown has led to a situation where many workers are forced to stay at home with little or no work to do.
“Such a free time must not be wasted, but leveraged upon for self-improvement; you must know yourself, broaden your knowledge, invest in the right resources, accessing online learning resources, remote working and networking,” Amuni said.
He also urged them to stay ahead of the present or potential competition by focussing on developing skills, knowledge and attitude while embracing technology.
Also, Dr Taiwo Ipaye, the immediate past Registrar, University of Lagos, Akoka, said that every public worker must reinvent, rebrand, innovate and acquire skills that would enable them to work from home effectively.
Ipaye said that they must overcome their challenges by learning the language of the millennial and use of technology which would help to add value to themselves and the institution.
“The conservative nature of many university officers and the absence of the right infrastructure will ensure that academic and administrative activities in public institutions remain skeletal until normalcy returns.
“COVID-19 has disrupted life globally, and universities are no exception; to respond effectively to normal life, we must understand the importance of hiring flexible talents in the workforce.
“There is need for organisations to define the platform for the post-COVID-19 workforce, and effective utilisation of the skills of the millennial,” she said.
Also, Mrs Busola Alofe, Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, said that the new world of work was driven by data and technologies.
Alofe said that the work, workers and workplaces must be integrated into technologies so as to achieve the right results.
“The future of work is being shaped by two powerful forces, which include: the growing adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace and the expansion of the workforce to include both on and off-balance sheet talents.
“Employers are now looking for productivity, low cost and flexibility from employees, while employees on their parts are demanding good pay, fair conditions and job security with the outcome being a negotiated pay and conditions between them,” she said.
Alofe said that highly engaged employees lead to increase in productivity and customer satisfaction.
“Organisations that want to become and remain employers of choice should ask themselves these questions; what will motivate employees to come and work for our organisation?” she asked.
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