The traditional workforce as we knew it changed drastically in 2020. Within a matter of weeks, the workplace environment across many industries transitioned from in-person interaction to digital correspondence. With the way the world is currently handling the coronavirus pandemic, this will probably be the norm for the foreseeable future.
New adaptations call for new routines, and various industries are tapping into new technology protocols, such as intelligent automation, to keep their businesses afloat. UK-based software development company, Blue Prism, defines intelligent automation as a “business-developed, no-code automation that pushes the boundaries of robotic process automation (RPA) to deliver value across any business process in a connected enterprise.” This mode of technology is becoming rapidly popular, and many industries see it as the future of work.
Industries are compelled to evolve based on the high demands to deliver services digitally compared to the traditional hands-on approach. However, this new interest in automation is negatively impacting those who work in “support roles” — roles that global management consulting firm McKinsey considers “slow-growing, low paying, and first to be automated.” In contrast, the more “directive roles of executives, professionals, technicians, sales and craft workers” are better suited to reap the benefits of automation.
This transition into a more digital workforce can widen the racial disparities gap in income, opportunity and wealth for Black Americans. Blue Prism is proactively working to help Black professionals garner advanced skills and training for “a potential wave of new careers” through its Black Professionals in Intelligent Automation (BPinIA) program.
“Our goal is to increase the representation of Black men and women in intelligent automation by driving awareness through recognition of Black professionals already thriving in this field, providing education for those interested in pursuing careers in intelligent automation and building a community to support these efforts,” said Alionna Gardner, Sr. HR Business Partner of Americas and the founder of Black Professionals in Intelligent Automation.
BPinIA predicts that continued upskilling, training and education in automation will help narrow the racial disparity gap, allowing individuals in support roles to focus their time on more strategic, meaningful work. The Black men and women who hold these positions do so because of obstacles that prevent them from elevating in their careers, such as lack of access to advanced skills, education and wealth. By creating awareness around intelligent automation, there is an opportunity to open the door for more Black men and women to be hired and promoted into directive, managerial leadership roles.
Black Professionals in Intelligent Automation is offering continued initiatives in 2021, such as the Black Professionals in Intelligent Automation Enrichment Camp and the Blue Prism Academia program. The 30-day enrichment camp will be offered multiple times throughout the year, and participants will have free access to the company’s resources, such as product learning modules, demos and virtual learning development sessions. They’ll also have the chance to work with a mentor and apply for a full scholarship to receive a Blue Prism Developer Certification. Blue Prism also plans to partner with majority-Black schools to offer free access to their Blue Prism Academia program so students can graduate with a deep knowledge of intelligent automation, industry-standard certifications and increased opportunities to join the industry.
Black Professionals in Intelligent Automation is helping Black men and women become the next leaders of the evolving workforce by providing the proper tools to push the movement forward. To learn more about the program and its initiatives, visit here.
