Enterprises and employees are expected to face vexing challenges after the pandemic and should prepare for technology adoption by learning and upskilling, says Advanced Info Service (AIS).
Cutting costs and organisational restructuring can only go so far, as companies must prioritise human resource development and invest in the right people and technology, said AIS, the top mobile operator by subscribers.
Speaking at a recent briefing about AIS's post-pandemic operations, chief of human resources Kantima Lerlertyuttitham said the company has prepared for digital disruption over the past five years, including by establishing AIS Academy in 2015, which serves as the firm's knowledge-based community where staff can engage in innovation.
The company also provides an online learning platform called LearnDi, where staff can learn a range of subjects, she said. Employees can spend their spare time learning new skills on the platform.
The pandemic is an alarm bell for people to develop their skills, either through upskilling or reskilling, Ms Kantima said.
"In the post-pandemic period, life is not only a matter of working from home; the development of innovation and technology is expected to come faster and broader for a wide variety of business sectors, including telecom," she said.
After the global crisis passes, the country is likely to see a rise in unemployment due to technology development and adoption, Ms Kantima said.
"What is more important than GDP is giving people jobs to make a living and having the skills needed," she said.
AIS has yet to announce any salary cuts or lay-offs during the pandemic. The company has gradually improved its operations, boosting staff skills and building the learning environment.
According to Ms Kantima, AIS will usher in technology, expertise and capability to help move the nation forward.
In October, which marks the 30th anniversary of AIS, the company aims to provide the LearnDi platform with a range of subjects for the public, which are projected to tap into 5,000 corporations by the end of this year.
AIS will also launch a programme called Volunteering in which AIS staff can pass on their knowledge and skills to members of the public via free online training courses.
These skill sets include online marketing, video editing, mobile app creation, blog writing, graphic design and earning income through e-marketplace giants Lazada and Shopee.
The live teaching is projected to start from September at the AIS Academy Facebook page, Ms Kantima said.
Some 70% of AIS staff are Gen Y, she said, adding that the company aims to boost the number of data analytics staff from 70 to 200 by next year.