Abstract:

Technological changes in general and digitalization specifically led to transformation of work, and call for development of new knowledge and skills. Moreover, as recent literature emphasizes, changes are essential regarding future job profiles and competencies. These changes in work, knowledge and skills, are specifically emphasized in the telecommunication industry. Speed of change in the telecommunications industry, changes in work and job descriptions, as well as changes in necessary knowledge and skills occur frequently, given that the industry itself is continuously undergoing transformation. High speed of changes in the telecom industry creates a certain pressure to be the first in the introduction of changes in jobs, knowledge and skills. Any delay can lead to loss of quality employees and consequently lead to a drop in income and loss of market share. Therefore, it is necessary to consider what will be expected from the industry itself in the near future and how education and training can help overcome these challenges. By anticipating changes in future jobs and work environment, organizations can start with education and training aimed at developing the necessary knowledge and skills for the future. At the same time, if employers recognize, on time, the need for business transformation, which includes defining new jobs and job descriptions, they will be able to hire talents from the market whose profiles will be more suitable for the jobs of the future.

This paper address the question of work in the telecommunication sector in the future, and accordingly emphasizes challenges for education and training for both organizations and future employees. Bearing in mind the labor market and new ways of working that the future brings after the COVID-19 pandemic, through this paper, prediction of changes and challenges that experts from the telecommunications sector see as necessary when shaping jobs and work environment of the future are presented. The paper also provides an expert's view of the expected knowledge and skills required for the future functioning of the telecommunications industry and its further growth and development.

Empirical research was done on a sample of six respondents, experts in the telecommunications industry in Croatia, by using an in depth interview. Results of the empirical research show that jobs in the future of the telecommunications industry will be related to user experience and understanding of user needs, Internet of Things technology, translation and interpretation of the data, quality control, data security, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Research also shows that in the future of the telecommunications industry, in addition to new technical knowledge and specific knowledge and skills, the so-called soft skills, such as the desire for continuous learning, rapid adaptation to change and end-user understanding skills, will be extremely important, if not more important that technical knowledge and skills. The research found that managers and human resource experts working in telecommunications industry are mostly unprepared for the challenges related to future of work and job design in the future of the telecommunications sector. Based on the research results the paper emphasizes specific challenges, recognized by the experts in the telecommunication sector, for education and training that organizations can recognize and respond to.

Keywords:

Work, jobs, telecommunication sector, education.