Mercer, a leading human resources consulting firm, is helping organizations in the Philippines navigate the evolving world of work with a comprehensive suite of solutions. The firm recently hosted a conference to address the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The “Workforce 2.0: Unlocking Human Potential in a Machine-Augmented World” conference took place on June 20, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). During the event, Sean Darilay, Talent Solutions Business Leader at Mercer Philippines, discussed a significant issue identified by the firm’s research: a decline in employee trust. According to Darilay, broken promises related to career development and wage increases have significantly affected employee morale. He emphasized the importance of personalized development programs and fulfilling commitments to rebuild trust.
Darilay highlighted the immense productivity benefits of AI but stressed the need for its smooth integration to complement human capabilities. He advocated for upskilling and reskilling employees to ensure successful integration. Mercer promotes a human-centric approach, focusing on redesigning work processes to use AI as an augmentation tool rather than a replacement for human expertise.
“Certain activities will help in productivity but what are the most critical elements of future-proofing the talent strategy of organizations in the Philippines to stay competitive? We know that upskilling is one but the environment is also rapidly changing. You need to step back before you do the upskilling — this is where you’re headed with technology disruptions,” Darilay stated.
He emphasized that while activities can enhance productivity, the real challenge for Philippine organizations is future-proofing their talent strategies. Upskilling is essential, but the rapidly changing technological landscape requires a more strategic approach. Organizations need to assess the impact of technological disruptions on their workforce before implementing upskilling programs.
Mercer’s diverse clientele includes companies across various industries, from manufacturing to energy. The firm is also eager to partner with the government on skills development programs, drawing on its expertise from collaborations such as the Singapore Skills Board.
While upskilling remains a critical trend, Darilay highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach that includes collaboration with the education sector to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and industry requirements.