YEAR 10 COMMERCE

Trend Investigation: Exploring the Changing Workplace

This task requires you to investigate and analyse a trend that is impacting on the workplace.
In completing this task you will recognise what this trend involves, examine its impact on the
workplace, and explore how individuals can take advantage of this trend in their career.

Trend Selection

You must select a trend that we have not explored as a class (so it cannot be the gig
economy, work-life balance or artificial intelligence).

The chosen trend must be supported by recent media reports and has the potential to
significantly influence the workplace in the coming years.

There is a list of trends that you can choose from at the end of this document, you are not
limited to these. Your chosen trend must be approved by your teacher.

Research

Gather relevant media reports, articles, studies, and resources that discuss the chosen trend.
Read through these sources to ensure that you have an understanding of the following areas
of focus;

Nature of the trend

 Describe what the trend is about. What are its key characteristics?

Joseph Engelberger, American physicist and engineer, often referred to as ‘the father of
physics’ stated that “an automated machine that does just one thing is not a robot. It is
simply automation. A robot should have the capability of handling a range of jobs at a
factory”. Robots are machines or automated technologies that can perform a series of
actions. They can do everything from drive cars to perform surgery. In today’s workplace,
various types of robots can be found, such as traditional industrial robots, which work in
robotic cells and cages away from human workers, professional service robots, which assist
workers in completing tasks, this includes remotely controlled or autonomous vehicles, and
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, as well as collaborative robots, which directly
interact with people, including wearable robotics or powered exoskeletons, and co-existing
or mobile robots that can navigate through the workplace.

Identify the factors driving this trend. Why is this trend emerging now? What are the social,
technological, economic, environmental, or political factors influencing it?

Social factors:

Mental health & wellbeing of employees: robots helping in the workplace can help to
improve employee health and wellbeing by reducing their workload and therefore reducing
stress levels, as well as preventing burnout, helping employees gain a higher lever of mental
health and wellbeing. Less workload can also decrease the risk of health problems such as
anxiety and depression.

Labour shortages: low birth rates drive the need for automation (robotics) to fill labour gaps

Technological:

Advancements in Machine learning: AI-powered robots are now able to learn from data,
adapt to new environments, and make real-time decisions, which expands their applications
across industries.

Improved Sensors and Actuators: Enhanced sensors and actuators enable robots to interact
with their environment more precisely, allowing for improved dexterity, vision, and decision-
making capabilities.

Economic factors:

Cost of labour: with robots having the ability to automatically complete tasks workers would
usually do, it lowers the labour costs by getting work done quicker.

Globalisation and competition: Global supply chains and increasing competition push
companies to adopt robotics to reduce costs, increase productivity, and remain competitive
in global markets.

Environmental factors:

Sustainability Goals: Robotics can improve efficiency in resource use, such as optimizing
water and energy consumption in agriculture or manufacturing, thereby contributing to
environmental sustainability.

Waste Reduction: Robots in manufacturing and recycling processes can minimize waste by
ensuring precision in production and separating materials efficiently for reuse.

Political factors:

Government Policies: Many governments are implementing policies that promote

automation and innovation, such as tax incentives, research funding, and grants for
companies investing in robotics.

Workforce Development Initiatives: Governments are investing in retraining and upskilling

programs to prepare workers for jobs in robotics and automation, ensuring a smooth
transition to an automated economy.

Provide evidence that this trend is emerging. Look for data, statistics, and real-world
examples of businesses or industries that are adapting to this trend.
According to an article published by IFR , in 2021, 517,385 new industrial robots were
installed across the world. Between 2015 and 2021 worldwide annual robot installations
more than doubled. This growth was led by China, where 268,195 new robots were shipped,
with the operational stock breaking the 1-million-unit mark in 2021. The growth in China
over the last decade has been incredibly rapid, led by the Chinese government’s ambition to
become a robot powerhouse. In the U.S., installations increased by 14%, with the
automotive industry still being by far the leading sector in terms of robot adoptions.

 In automotive factories, robots have become commonplace tools. The automotive

industry was the largest user of robots worldwide in 2020. The IFR says that 28% of
all robot installations happen in the automotive sector.
 Discuss which industries are most affected by this trend. Are some industries
benefiting while others face challenges?
Some industries most affected and benefited by robotics include
Manufacturing and logistics: benefit from increased efficiency and reduced labour
costs though automation. Robotics have transformed these sectors, allowing
companies to scale operations and recue errors, resulting in higher profit.
Retail and e-commerce: see both benefits and challenges. Automation in warehouse
and inventory management improves operations, however some companies may find
it hard to keep up with rapidly advancing technology and managing fair distribution
of work between robots and employees. Retail such as self-checkouts are
automation, stock takes etc.
Healthcare and finance: benefit from robotically gathered data analysis and
diagnostics, improving decision-making, patient, and fraud detection. However,
smaller firms in these sectors may struggle with keeping up with the costs and ever-
changing technology associated with robots.
Service industries: such as hospitality, face challenges with automation replacing
low-skill jobs such as serving food etc.
Impact on the workplace

Explore how this trend is changing the way workplaces are organized. Is it affecting where,
when, or how people work?

This trend allows for employees to do more important tasks, as robots and automation are
able to do the majority of simple tasks eg. Serving food etc.

Examine how job roles are changing because of this trend. Are there new types of jobs
being created, or are some roles becoming obsolete?

Many usual jobs are becoming obsolete such as serving jobs, retail jobs etc. but more
technical jobs are opening such as programmers, technicians, welders, computer scientists
and mechanical engineers.

Identify challenges that businesses might face because of this trend. What obstacles do
they need to overcome?

Businesses must overcome the cost of implementing robots, as well as keeping up with the
costs and time needed for updates, and necessary repairs etc.

Consider the implications for work culture. How does this trend influence teamwork,
communication, employee morale, or company values?

Automation can enhance productivity but may reduce teamwork and lead to isolation;
businesses need to focus on upskilling, digital collaboration, and maintaining employee
morale. It can also get rid of some jobs which can lead to a decreased public reputation for
companies and potentially lead to lawsuits.

Impact on Job Skills

Determine the essential job skills required to thrive with this trend. Are there specific
technical skills, soft skills, or knowledge areas that are becoming more important?

Technical skills like AI, data analysis, coding, and machine learning are essential, while soft
skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and communication are increasingly important as
roles evolve.

• Suggest ways individuals can acquire these skills. Are there courses, certifications, on-
the-job training, or self-learning opportunities available?

Individuals can acquire these skills through online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX,
certifications (e.g., Google, Microsoft), coding bootcamps, or on-the-job training programs.

• Discuss the opportunities available to employees who develop these skills. How can
mastering these skills help individuals advance their careers or open up new job
prospects?
 Mastering these skills opens doors to high-demand roles in AI development, data science,
automation engineering, and project management, offering better job security, career
growth, and higher earning potential.

Assessment

You will be required to complete an in-class assessment focussed on your chosen trend,
under test conditions.

This assessment will include short-answer questions that require you to demonstrate
knowledge of the areas of focus outlined above and reflect on the significance of these
aspects.

Workplace Trends

Trend Snapshot
Robotics Increased use of robots is affecting job roles and skill requirements.