The age of automation: what skills do employees need to stay relevant?

Purpose This viewpoint paper envisions the key competencies that employees should cultivate to thrive amidst the age of automation. Design/methodology/approach This paper synthesises recent academic and contextual papers on the topic of workplace automation, alongside the author’s practical knowledge as a Global Program Manager for Robotic Process Automation projects in an S&P 500 company. Findings Four skill building blocks are created which will help employees stay relevant in the age of automation: process engineering, automation technology, self-leadership and humanistic. Originality/value In this new era of automation, the skills of today will no longer be sufficient for employees to remain competitive in future. This paper contributes to literature by envisioning and presenting four skill blocks that could serve as a blueprint for human resources officers and executives to create the future learning plans and hiring strategies of their organisations, as they grow along the automation maturity curve.