Talent Talk Showcases Future Career Opportunities

As the job landscape evolves, the greater Wichita region must adapt and prepare the workforce for the opportunities ahead.

The Partnership is taking proactive steps, guided by the Talent Roadmap, to ensure that education and industry are aligned in fostering the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow.

This strategic work was highlighted at the Partnership’s final Talent Talk of the year on Oct. 2 in conjunction with the Ad Astra Technology Summit.

The event, themed “Jobs of the Future,” brought together approximately 350 educators, HR professionals and businesses in an expo-style format to showcase the careers and skills needed for today and the near future.

Nine displays showcased a variety of cutting-edge careers, detailing the technical and essential skills required for each role.

Industry representatives from the City of Wichita, Credit Union of America, Envision Inc., Habitat for Humanity, High Touch Technologies, INTRUST Bank, Key Construction and Spirit AeroSystems provided insights into how technology is transforming jobs across sectors.

Educators attending the Ad Astra Technology Summit had the opportunity to explore the exhibition and engage with industry leaders about the technology-related jobs they are trying to fill. Some of the jobs included:

• AI and Machine Learning Engineer: Builds systems that can predict customer needs, automate customer support and provide real-time fraud detection.
• AI-Powered Project Manager: Uses AI to streamline construction schedules, budget forecasting and resource allocation.
• Automation and Robotics Engineer: Develops robotics systems for precision manufacturing, 3D printing of parts and automation of production lines.
• Construction Technology Specialist: Implements and manages tech tools like BIM (Building Information Modeling), drones for site surveying and project management software.
• Data Science Specialist: Uses big data analytics to assess customer behavior and trends for personalized banking experiences.
• Digital Transformation Manager: Leads the bank’s shift toward digital banking solutions, cloud computing and tech-driven customer engagement.
• Digital Twin Engineer: Uses digital twin technology to create virtual replicas of manufacturing systems for process optimization.
• EdTech Developer: Creates personalized learning platforms using AI, and AR/VR technologies for interactive learning experiences.
• Smart City Infrastructure Manager: Oversees smart city technologies, including IoT-powered traffic management systems, energy-efficient public services and sensory-based urban planning.
• Sustainable Housing Technology Specialist: Focuses on integrating green building technologies like solar panels, energy-efficient materials and smart home systems into affordable housing projects.
• VR/AR Rehabilitation Specialist: Uses virtual and augmented reality for rehabilitation and training of visually impaired individuals.

The Partnership’s Talent Team also compiled insights on national job trends, highlighting some of the employment opportunities that have emerged since 2020.

• 5G Network Engineer: Around 2020-2021
  With the rollout of 5G technology globally, demand for engineers specializing in 5G network infrastructure and applications has risen.
• AI Prompt Engineer: Around 2022-2023
  With the rise of large language models like GPT-3 and GPT-4, companies started seeking experts who could craft precise prompts to maximize the effectiveness and utility of AI responses.
• Cybersecurity Awareness Specialist: Around 2021-2022
  Growing concerns about cybersecurity breaches, especially due to increased remote work, led to the creation of roles focused on training and educating employees about cybersecurity best practices.
• Digital Twins Developer: Around 2021-2022
  As digital twin technology gained popularity in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and smart cities, developers with expertise in creating digital replicas of physical systems began to emerge.
• Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) Engineer: Around 2021-2022
  As organizations scaled their AI capabilities, the need for specialized roles to manage and streamline the deployment and monitoring of machine learning models grew.
• Metaverse Architect: Around 2021-2022
  With tech giants investing heavily in metaverse development, the demand for professionals who can design and build immersive 3D environments and experiences has increased.
• Remote Team Facilitator: Around 2020-2021
  The shift to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic created a need for roles dedicated to managing and optimizing remote team dynamics, using digital collaboration tools and methodologies.

This was the fourth and final Talent Talk of 2024. Talent Talks are the direct results of the Talent Workshops of 2023. The Partnership is already planning for meaningful talent conversations in 2025.

• ​​​​​​Accelerating the Future of Work: Future of Work Roadmap
  (Job Canvas Library begins on page 78.)
• The Partnership's Talent Roadmap
• Future Careers Unveiled: Connecting Education and Emerging Jobs Presentation