By Vinay Konanur, Assistant Director at UNext Learning
In 1989, the Internet went global with Tim Berner Lee’s innovation creating history as we know it. Today, 30 years on, a new generation of disruptive technologies with a combination of AI, automation is shaping global workforces —one that is more science fiction in reality. This is de facto the age of innovation and technological revolution, as organisations are gearing for change bringing man and machine closer in the world of work and building a global innovation ecosystem.
In 2020, the COVID outbreak caused an initial slowdown in hiring for the IT-ITES sector as organisations redefined their work from home policies and business strategies and continued to find a rhythm of working through multiple pandemic challenges.
According to the Indeed India Hiring Tracker that maps quarterly job market activity to June 2021, the hiring activity increased by 11 percent over the previous quarter, with standout growth in Information Technology (61 percent), financial services (48 percent), and BPO/ITeS (47 percent). Having proven its capabilities in delivering both on-shore and off-shore services to global clients, emerging technologies now offer an entire new gamut of opportunities for top IT firms in India indicating a strong revival in economic growth and sustained recovery in the business. And with massive job hiring in IT-ITES, there is exponential growth in digital transformation driven by virtually delivered programs at the center of it.
Accelerated digitalization in companies with bootcamp programs
As India’s IT-ITES industry is poised for growth in digital transformation with market-driven demand for newer and faster solutions, it is offset by a paradigm shift to virtual learning with technology accelerating the digital transformation journey at workplaces with the rise of bootcamps, delivered virtually.
The virtual bootcamps are designed with the social, cognitive, and behavioural skills of learners taking centre stage. Delivering top-notch learning and engagement with operational best practices, the virtual learning platform is here to stay.
In a blend of self-paced and VILT, there have been deep challenges in terms of addressing the learning infrastructure and checklists in place for ensuring network connectivity, software installation and operation. In this innovative framework, agile practices are interwoven in the program with frequent polls to measure engagement to break the monotony as well with facilitators acting as mentors rather than trainers, and simulating a real life scenario for effective learning.
In terms of measuring learning outcomes, there are camera-based remote proctored multiple choice questions, mentoring for low performers, and final project evaluation with in-training and post-training assessment and qualitative and quantitative feedback on the learner, which helps in mapping the right job role and helps in identifying and designing post program mentoring journeys for the individuals. Detailed reports on engagement, performance and attendance, frequent feedback and regular technical polls with daily feedback polls and detailed gradebook with quantitative and qualitative parameters help design programs.
While coming to terms with the new normal, the hybrid model of collaborative learning will be the mainstay and continue to evolve in the future.
