As jobs become more tech-dependent, some Latino workers may be left behind as digital skills are exacerbated by lack of accessibility.
According to a new report by university researchers, Latinos are an integral part of work in agriculture, construction, retail and foodservice, and these jobs also have the risk of automation and change in roles that are more dependent on technology. Some are not ready for this. Los Angeles, California.
According to an analysis by the UCLA Institute of Latino Policy, Latinos are overrepresented in areas where automation is at risk. The report also provides some suggestions on ways to improve economic mobility in Latinos.
“The report sheds light on important but often overlooked reality. It states that automation is not just a technical issue, it is a matter of fairness.
“Latin workers are at the forefront of automation risks and face barriers such as limited English proficiency, low digital access and educational gaps,” Gardames said.
Valerie Gills, 32, spent three years as a receptionist at a hotel in Phoenix, but in 2023 the hotel set up a self-check kiosk and an AI-powered chatbot on its website to book and request I’ve processed it. The changes made it clear that gills are no longer essential.
“I knew businesses were constantly trying to improve efficiency,” she said.
Gills eventually lost his job. She found a temporary position, but was not as stable as the hotel job. Her employment troubles placed emphasis on her mental health, “it reminded me of how much weaker workers like me can do when the industry automates everything.”
Ramilo Cavazos, president and CEO of the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, says automation replaces people with limited skills, but can create new roles, provide better working conditions and prevent burnout He said.
“Automation affects people who don’t have access to the internet,” Cabazos said. “Traditionally influenced Latinos have made great strides as we become more educated and more skilled.”
Reality begins as Gills searches for a new job. She needs to learn new skills to stay ahead of the curve. Eventually, she managed to get an internship as a blog editor, but is a competitive candidate as she is actively looking for technical research programs in data analysis and software development, including bootcamp online. You can become a person.
Cavazos said the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will work with more than 500 foundations to ensure that Latinos will contribute to providing the skills training they need to compete in the current job market. He has seen a lot of investments to ensure the skills Latino workers need to succeed.
During the administration of former President Joe Biden, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Department focused on providing Latinos with a pathway to learning new skills through apprenticeship programs. According to Lamare, apprentices were perfect for Latinos.
“I think it’s really important to stay involved with individuals and meet them where they are,” Lamare said at the time. “Frankly, the Biden-Harris administration has been intended to make investments that support the Latino and Hispanic communities, and we hope that these investments will continue.”
Under President Donald Trump, who issued several orders targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, or DEI, the Labor Bureau did not immediately confirm whether the apprenticeship program was still active.
Carlos Vazquez, founder of Miami Ed Tech, a nonprofit focused on providing Latinx students with the skills they need for upward mobility, says apprentices promise to train from the organization. He said it was a very advantageous for Latinos because he would pay for work from day one.
Miami Ed Tech offers two apprentices in AI, data science and web design.
“Everyone thinks it’s just for the trade, just like that,” Vazquez said. “But that’s another thing the Biden administration really pushed, building more apprentices in non-traditional and emerging sectors. So, in our community, employers we don’t know but want to be involved in. We are trying to emulate it because there are many advantages to providing it. So it’s an advantage for everyone and for both.”
Historically, Latinos have always been influenced by automation, particularly due to their relationship with the labor-intensive role in retail and foodservice. Cavazos said it’s important to “teach Latinos people more digital skills to evolve with their employees.”
A study by UCLA this year found that California employs 2.3 million Latinos in the role of being at the highest risk of being automated. Of Latinos who work in automation, 21% have no access to high-speed internet at home, a study found that it is a barrier to digital upskills. A 2021 Pew survey also found that only 67% of Hispanic adults reported having a desktop or laptop computer.
Diana Kaba, Vice President of Community and Economic Development for the Hispanic Federation, said as the world becomes more digital, it could be a major obstacle for Latinos who don’t have digital skills. Thus, nonprofits have partnered with over 50 community-based organizations to reduce digital disparities by providing Latinx training, including access to technology.
CABA said out of the 35,000 people they trained, 70% have completed their training. She said 6,000 people are on the way to new jobs and about 10,500 have earned six figure salaries.
“Automation is a huge threat to our community given that we are in these low-wage sectors that are actually very vulnerable and don’t actually offer much economic mobility opportunities,” Kaba said. I did. “It was really exciting to take this approach and meet the needs of the Latino community to enhance digital insight.”
Dylan Pravia started as an intern at Miami Ed Tech. He said he provided the opportunity to learn about AI and programming using computers. He can now use what he learned as a mechanical engineering student at Florida International University.
“I really love what Miami Ed Tech does,” Pravia said. “They are providing that training, their opportunities, their students. Talents are everywhere and we need to provide as much training as possible to (Latinx) students, all of those opportunities.
Gills, a former hotel receptionist, said he understands technology is the future, but that automation feels like a double-edged sword. It opens up opportunities for advanced work, but it also reduces the number of low-skilled jobs that many Latinos need, she said.
“I’ve seen firsthand the number of coworkers exchanged for kiosks and chatbots,” Gills said. “Retraining workers and preparing them for new jobs needs to be better supported by the system. To be honest, these eras of automation and AI are very reliable and always I feel it’s changing, but I think we need to learn how to adapt.”
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