Automation and digital exclusion could hinder the new generation’s entry into the job market. Professional training could be the key to reversing this scenario.

The future of work is one of the most relevant issues for young people entering the market. With Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and other technological innovations rapidly transforming professions, many young people feel uncertain about their chances of getting a first job.

Technology, while creating new opportunities, can also be an obstacle for those who lack access to digital resources and adequate training. The digital divide and the lack of professional qualifications are urgent challenges that could jeopardize the future of an entire generation. But how can we prepare young people to face this scenario?

The digital divide as an obstacle to the first job for young people

The automation of tasks and the advance of artificial intelligence are replacing functions that were previously occupied by human workers. According to research by McKinsey & Company – a global business consulting firm – between 400 and 800 million traditional jobs will be eliminated or radically transformed by 2030.

At the same time, new opportunities are emerging, especially in the areas of technology, data science and innovation. The problem is that these opportunities require qualifications – and many young people still don’t have access to adequate education and training to compete in this new scenario. This makes access to the first job a major challenge.

To make matters worse, the lack of professional experience is another significant obstacle. Many companies are looking for qualified candidates, but few are willing to offer first opportunities to those who don’t yet have experience in the market. Without a starting point, many young people end up trapped in a cycle of unemployment and underemployment.

In Brazil, millions of young people still don’t have access to quality internet, adequate equipment or training in technology. This puts them at a disadvantage when looking for their first job and reduces their chances of professional growth. Digital exclusion goes beyond a lack of connectivity: it means not having access to the skills needed to keep up with changes in the job market.

The impact of digital exclusion is directly reflected in social inequalities. While young people from the upper classes have access to online courses, networks and opportunities in technological areas, those who live in deprived communities face difficulties in entering the digital job market. Without basic computer skills and access to suitable equipment, their chances of getting a good job decrease dramatically.

The role of the Ramacrisna Institute in preparing for the future

In an increasingly digitalized job market, technological inclusion is an essential differentiator for young people’s employability. The Ramacrisna Institute, through innovative spaces such as FabLab Ramacrisna and classes at the Ramacrisna Educational Support Center (CAER), is preparing children, teenagers and adults for the professions of the future.

With state-of-the-art equipment, FabLab Ramacrisna offers free courses in areas such as robotics, programming, 3D printing and autocad. The space has 3D printers, virtual reality glasses, a CNC Laser Cutting Router and robotics kits, enabling training in high-demand technological skills.

At CAER, technology is also integrated into learning. Digital whiteboards, literacy tables and computer classes encourage digital inclusion and cognitive development from an early age, while educational robotics teaches logic and programming in a playful and interactive way.

Projects such as Meninas em Rede (Girls on the Net), which teaches women how to develop websites and applications, expands opportunities for groups that have historically been under-represented in the field of technology. In addition, 3D modeling and Autocad courses train students to work in sectors such as engineering, architecture and design.

Ramacrisna Institute

The institution has also invested in modernizing its vocational courses, in line with the new demands of the production sector. The Computer Operator course, for example, has just implemented an exclusive module on fiber optics, training students to work in one of the fastest-growing sectors in Brazil.

In the Car Mechanics and Motorcycle Mechanics courses, modernization is also a reality: students already have electric vehicles for training, ensuring that they are prepared to work with the new technologies in the automotive sector.

The Ramacrisna Institute also offers a wide range of vocational courses in various areas, including welding, electricians and robotics, among others. With modern equipment, the institution ensures that students acquire skills in line with the demands of the job market.

With actions like these, the Ramacrisna Institute breaks down social and economic barriers, ensuring that more young people have access to the knowledge they need to enter the job market and even become entrepreneurs in the technology sector.

What can we do now?

• Invest in digital training: It is essential to expand access to courses and training so that more young people develop technological skills.
• Create opportunities for young people to get their first job: Programs such as apprenticeships are essential for young people to gain professional experience and build their careers.
• Expand partnerships between companies and social institutions: The private sector has a fundamental role to play in creating opportunities for young people in vulnerable situations.
• Stimulate public digital inclusion policies: Access to technology needs to be treated as an essential right to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities.
• Raise awareness about the importance of first jobs for young people: Companies, governments and communities can work together to ensure that the new generation has access to a promising future.

 Support an organization that works to train young people: be part of the movement that guarantees digital inclusion and access to the first job for young people. Contact Ramacrisna and make your donation.