Employment (Edexcel IGCSE Ict)
Impact of the internet on employment
Spec point —
3.2.1
What are the impacts of the internet on employment?
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The three biggest impacts of the internet on employment are:
- change in skills requirements
- new job opportunities
- job losses
Skills requirements
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The demand for tech skills and competence in information communication technology (ICT)
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The ability to work with and analyse more data to make informed business decisions
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A shift in the need for particular skill sets due to more automation means potential employees need to be adaptable
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A focus on problem solving and critical thinking rather than carrying out tasks that can now be automated
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An increased importance on soft skills such as:
- Effective communication
- Collaboration
- Lifelong learning
New job opportunities
| Job | Description |
|---|---|
| Cyber security | - Skilled works to look after and protect systems from attack - Trained to work with computer systems and networks |
| Data science | - Experts to analyse data and extract insights - Programming knowledge |
| Artificial intelligence (AI) & machine learning (ML) | - Developing AI in all industries - Working with machine learning algorithms |
| Digital marketing | - Content creation - Search engine optimisation (SEO) - Social media marketing |
| Cloud computing | - Cloud architects - Security specialists |
Job losses
- Employees who choose to not improve their skills using the internet may unfortunately not have the skills required to carry out new work
- If they are unwilling to retrain this may lead to job losses
Impact of the internet on working practices
Spec point —
3.2.2
What are working practices?
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Working practices are the ways in which a person goes about completing a task as part of their job
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Examples of working practices include:
- Collaborative working
- Flexible working
Collaborative working
- Collaborative working means employees can work on the same project or task at the same time, in real time
- The internet enables employees to work together remotely, bridging the gap of being in the same place at the same time
- This allows employers to choose employees from a much wider talent pool
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Efficiency- tasks can be completed more quickly | Co-ordination - organising meetings and keeping people on the same page can be hard |
| Knowledge- shared skills and experience | Personality clashes - some people do not work well in a team and can hinder progress |
| Creativity- access to other perspectives, problem solving as a team | Contribution- some members might not contribute equally |
| Morale- motivate employees by building a team spirit |
Flexible working
- Flexible working means employees can work when suits them
- They can decide the hours they work or work from home
- The internet also makes working on the move an option for employees
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Work life balance - can schedule work around personal commitments | Communication- lack of face to face can hinder collaboration |
| Productivity - working when YOU feel the most productive | Isolation- missing social aspects of traditional office environment |
| Fewer sick days - better work life balance leads to fewer absences | Management- supervising and monitoring employees can be more difficult |
Worked Example Sarah uses the Internet for work.
Sarah can collaborate with others so expertise can be shared.
Explain one other way that the Internet could positively impact how Sarah works
[2]
Answer
Impact:
more productive / doesn’t waste time [1]
better motivated [1]
more flexibility [1]
better work life balance [1]
Reason:
- work at home / on the move [1]
- access online files/information/resources/software [1]
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