The Emerging Mobile Workforce: Tech-Savvy And Collaborative

By John Cameron, general manager, Trimble Field Service Management

The maturing workforce has been a subject of concern in the location technology industry, and the implications this has as these workers, with their knowledge and experience, reach retirement age. However, as the industry continues to evolve, a major trend is the emergence of young, tech-savvy and collaborative workers.  According to AberdeenGroup’s recent report, Emerging Workforce in the Field: Tech-savvy to Technician, approximately one-fifth of the current workforce is under 30, with the average age of a mobile technician being 32 years old. Fleet and field service organizations must recognize what the needs and motivations of this new, up and coming workforce are, in order to keep them for the long run as well as to attract a new pool of young talent. 

Flexibility and Mobility

Technology is recognized as an enabler to achieving key strategic objectives. It is therefore important for organizations to understand how the influx of young workers use, process and engage with technology. A key factor to consider is flexibility and mobility. Tech-savvy workers do not want to be tied down by outdated, legacy technologies. They want the freedom to engage with the latest technologies they have been using in their personal lives. As a result, the mobile landscape for fleet and field service organizations is evolving and the ‘emerging worker’ is helping to speed up this transformation.

There has been much debate about the ‘Bring Your Own Device’ strategies, where employees have the ability to connect their own technical devices, such as smartphones, laptops and tablets, to their company’s network instead of using a device owned by the company. BYOD is often considered the only way forward for businesses looking to compete effectively and offer the most efficient customer service and increased employee satisfaction.

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