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Union Education Trust (UET) and OCSEA has been integral in helping state employees adapt to workplace changes since its inception. That, more than anything, isn’t changing!
In fact, UET makes it easier than ever to prepare for new technology and processes.
“Change has always been happening,” UET Chair Christopher Mabe said. “It’s just at an accelerated rate now.”
Mabe, along with fellow UET Trustees Kathy Gersper and Gerard (Rocky) Jolly have closely monitored changes in the world of work over the course of their respective careers as State workers and Union activists. They remain hopeful about the future and state workers’ abilities to adapt to the changes.
Not that long ago, State of Ohio administrative staff used word processers and ODOT employees “did everything by hand,” Gersper said.
“I think it would be silly to think that things are going to remain the same,” Gersper continued. “Things are being created all the time.”
This is why UET is valuable as a resource so eligible bargaining unit employees are prepared for change.
“Your UET will help you advance,” Trustee Jolly said. “What’s coming in the future – UET will help you prepare for it.”
While much of the current focus is on “artificial intelligence” (AI), Mabe pointed out that other technology is being used in state agencies to increase safety. Corrections officers (COs) in the Ohio Department of Corrections wear camcorders while counter-drones are working to prevent the smuggling of contraband into prisons. Thirty years ago, COs wrote information into a logbook compared to today a data specialist enters data inside each pod.
In this way, technology such as robotics or AI can be used to make work easier and more efficient – but cannot do the work without a person.
“AI can do some of our responsibilities, but I don’t think it can do any job without assistance,” Jolly said.
AI is a useful tool for union stewards, Mabe suggested.
“We’re not attorneys so instead of you writing a report, AI could prompt questions and help you write a report for a court of law,” he said. “I would love to use Chat GPT and BingAI for stewards writing grievances going against lawyers.”
Seeing the usefulness of AI and other technology is reassuring, Mabe said.
“The more you know about it, the more you can ease your mind,” he said, explaining that using immersive technology or virtual reality to train or simply experience how new technology is used is a helpful tool.
“You put on a headset and can use a module like a mechanic or a nurse to see what it feels and looks like,” Mabe said. “It’s an ‘Aha’ moment.”
While technology can make some tasks faster, easier, and safer, there are others that will always need a human touch. For example, while technology can aid teachers at the Ohio Schools for the Blind and Deaf, direct care and youth workers are still essential, Jolly said. While some job activities can be automated, many cannot. For example, the “people skills” that are used in many state roles are human skills.
Mabe agreed: “Emotional intelligence is something people really need to focus on.”
Adapting to change is not easy. This is one of the reasons that UET offers many programs that allow for eligible bargaining unit employees to take one course or professional development program to get comfortable with continuing education.
“Change is a thing we have to face head on,” Jolly said. “It’s our job as leaders to help our people stay employed by using their UET benefits.”
Gersper agreed: “We keep telling everyone: ‘Go back to school, go back to school!’”
Gersper took a human resources course so that she would be comfortable taking training.
“I went back just to go back. I wanted to get up to date,” she said. “I tell people I went back to school after 30 years. If I can do it, you can too!”
“It was scary at first, but it was one of the best things I did,” Gersper added.
UET offers a variety of educational assistance programs that enable eligible bargaining unit employees to pre-pay or get reimbursement for training and other educational opportunities. Go to uedtrust.org to learn more about these opportunities and take a computer course, a non-credit, short-term training, vocational training, or college-credit courses. UET’s online career exploration tool FOCUS will help you explore career and training options if you are not sure where to start. Remember that UET will be here to help enhance your job security and assist you in meeting the challenges of the ever-changing world of work.