MORE than three-quarters of people in Scotland want quotas to protect human jobs in the face of increasing automation, a new study suggests.
Government quotas for human workers were backed by 77% of respondents in Scotland.
Opinium Research carried out the study for PwC, surveying 338 people in Scotland, and found 45% were concerned about the risk automation poses to their jobs.
More than half (51%) believe the job they are doing now will not be the same in a decade.
Almost half (47%) are prepared to take a lower salary if increased technology pushes them out of their current role, while 55% would accept a lower position at another company.
More than half (51%) are prepared to study full-time at college or university, rising to 64% willing to do this via distance learning.
Questioned about who is responsible for retraining workers affected by the growing use of robotics in the workplace, the most common response in Scotland was the UK Government, at 28% of respondents.
Slightly less, 22%, said the Scottish Government and local authorities were responsible, while the same proportion said it should be dealt with by businesses.
Just 4% said it was up to workers themselves retrain.
The most popular option for government intervention, supported by 86% of respondents, was providing free or subsidised training courses for anyone who loses their job through automation.
A majority, 84%, said it should be mandatory for businesses to provide reskilling for workers who lose their jobs.
Stewart Wilson, head of government and public sector of PwC in Scotland, said: "It is reassuring to see that so many people working in Scotland today both recognise the role that automation is going to play, and that they are keen to develop new skills in response to this.
"However, what our research tells us is that Government and business must ensure they collaborate to create opportunities for everyone - and that work must begin now.
"Our research has previously projected that more jobs will be created as a consequence of automation in Scotland than displaced, leading to a net benefit.
"But we must recognise that while automation can improve the lives of skilled workers it may make life more difficult for those less skilled and so the UK and Scottish Governments, along with local authorities and businesses need to work together to invest in upskilling initiatives which will benefit the whole workforce."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel