Flexible, innovative and environmentally conscious: three words that were mentioned most often when FHI asked WoTS visitors to describe the lab employee of the future. In our previous newsletter we focused on the lab of the future. But what skills and characteristics are required for the staff? You can read that in this article.
We're going into the air
Where we worked on a lab table thirty years ago, we now take to the air. Literally: it cloud-based laboratory is just like cloud-based computing very loud music of the future. These labs in the cloud are appearing more and more often. That also means something for the lab employees: after all, they no longer work at the lab table so often.
A flexible attitude is one of the qualities that our WoTS visitors expect from future laboratory technicians. Keeping up with the times is necessary; developments in the laboratory world are moving rapidly. Being informed is one thing, but moving along with techniques such as virtual reality, augmented reality, cloud labs and business intelligencesystems is almost a profession in itself. That takes one different approach to lab training, but also further development of people already working in the lab.
These are the future skills from the lab employee:
- Flexible attitude: moving along with all developments that are taking place at breakneck speed, including in the laboratory sector.
- Innovative thinking: the future not only requires the ability to move, but also to think along. How do we renew the lab? Problem solving skills and out of the box thinking are certainly a must for the future lab worker.
- Working in an environmentally conscious manner: the lab is a major consumer of energy, materials and water. The modern laboratory technician works sustainably and takes consumption into account.
Move along and think along
One of the characteristics that was also frequently mentioned in our question round at the WoTS trade fair is 'innovative': innovating products, services and business processes. Translated into the future skills of lab employees, this means that they are willing and enthusiastic to think about innovations.
An innovative attitude is crucial in thinking about how we can renew the lab. This requires great problem-solving skills and the ability to out of the box to be able to think. In addition, strong communication skills are a must. We see this in many areas where the focus previously was on technical and medical skills.
“We are working on a cleaner world in the lab, but that starts in the lab itself.” – Marit from GreenLabsNL
Sustainability: also in the lab
It is reflected in all industries: sustainability. This theme is also gaining an increasingly prominent role in the lab world. Not only in contributing to sustainable solutions to make the world cleaner, but also in working on more environmentally conscious processes in the lab. The lab is a major consumer of energy, materials, plastics and water. We have to do something about that, WoTS visitors think. The future laboratory technician must certainly be environmentally conscious.
Because how do we make the lab itself cleaner? Small adjustments make a big difference. Lower the fume hood hood when you are not using it, set the freezer to a slightly lower temperature, keep track of what is in it (which saves you time searching) and communicate about the sustainable use of materials and equipment. These things are already in the system of the laboratory technician of the future; At this moment we still have to make each other aware of this.
During the FHI Sustainable Lab Challenge This year we asked laboratories and suppliers to share their sustainable solutions, ideas and tools. This way we can learn from each other and take steps towards a cleaner lab, where environmentally conscious working is central. There was also a winner from the challenge. Read there here more about.
Lab worker: the differences and similarities
The future skills of lab employees therefore differ enormously from how we currently know their skills. In addition to innovating, moving along and working environmentally consciously, there are other skills that will play a more prominent role. Analyzing data is something we certainly cannot ignore. But at the same time, the core of the profession will remain important. Remember to weigh carefully and measure accurately. Although much repetitive work is done automatically in modern labs, there are also laboratories where people continue to do the manual work.
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