How can we prepare for the future of work?

Anyone with a mobile phone can access the course material for a Harvard degree, take part in the “gig economy” or find funding for their new venture. That’s a profound and very recent change. The technologies that are disrupting our economic and social lives are also helping us to adapt. But history suggests that if we leave it to the market the Fourth Industrial Revolution will usher in a long and damaging period of dislocation. We can see it coming, we know we’re going to have to reskill, so what are we going to do about it?

Preparing the Youth for an inclusive and sustainable world. (OECD PISA)

Gabriela Ramos – OECD Chief of Staff – “Reinforcing global competence is vital for individuals to thrive in a rapidly changing world and for societies to progress without leaving anyone behind. Against a context in which we all have much to gain from growing openness and connectivity, and much to lose from rising inequalities and radicalism, citizens need not only the skills to be competitive and ready for a new world of work, but more importantly they also need to develop the capacity to analyze and understand global and intercultural issues. The development of social and emotional skills, as well as values like respect, self-confidence and a sense of belonging, are of the utmost importance to create opportunities for all and advance a shared respect for human dignity. The OECD is actively working on assessing global competence in PISA. Together, we can foster global competence for more inclusive societies.”  

Towards a Reskilling Revolution (2019 WEF Report)

As the Fourth Industrial Revolution impacts skills, tasks and jobs, there is a growing concern that both job displacement and talent shortages will impact business dynamism and social cohesion. On the one hand, large parts of the labor market will be impacted by intelligent systems and automation, a transformation we can already observe today. On the other hand, technological integration will change the business models of all industries, giving rise to a number of emerging jobs. A proactive and strategic effort is needed on the part of all relevant stakeholders to manage reskilling and upskilling to mitigate against both job losses and talent shortages.

Shape the Future of Learning (KnowledgeWorks.org)

The way we work, teach, live and learn is changing at an exponential rate. Educators must consider how their practices today will shape the future of learning tomorrow – and what roles students and communities might have in shaping that future, too.

What will it mean to be a college and career ready in 2040? How can learning communities, higher education and informal learning environments, adapt their practices now to ensure graduates have the skills they need to succeed in an uncertain future?

Every Child has the Right to Learn. (Unicef.org)

More children and adolescents today are enrolled in pre-primary, primary and secondary education than ever before. Yet, for many of them, schooling does not lead to learning.

A lack of trained teachers, inadequate learning materials, makeshift classes and poor sanitation facilities make learning difficult for many children. Others come to school too hungry, sick or exhausted from work or household tasks to benefit from their lessons.

The consequences are grave: An estimated 617 million children and adolescents around the world are unable to reach minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics – even though two thirds of them are in school.

This learning crisis is the greatest global challenge to preparing children and adolescents for life, work and active citizenship.

What’s more, roughly one in five school-aged children are not in school at all.

Children and adolescents are excluded from education for many reasons. Poverty remains one of the most obstinate barriers, with children from the poorest households almost five times more likely to be out of primary school than those from the richest.

Children with disabilities and from ethnic minorities are also more likely to be left behind.

For girls in some parts of the world, education opportunities can be especially limited. Only 66 per cent of countries have achieved gender parity in primary education. Harmful gender norms can have severe effects for boys, too.

Location also keeps children from school. Children from rural areas are more than twice as likely to be out of primary school than their urban peers. In conflict zones, 27 million children are out of school.

Without skills for lifelong learning, children face greater barriers to earning potential and employment later in life. They are more likely to suffer adverse health outcomes and less likely to participate in the decisions that affect them – threatening their ability to build a better future for themselves and their communities.

Kelly Clements – “There is no better way to help a refugee than enabling that person to work, so he or she is able to rebuild his own life, to provide for their families. Refugees bring many talents and we must make sure that everyone counts!”

Brian Wong – “We can not forget to build an inclusive economic system. E-Commerce alone has created 54 million jobs globally. It is important to invest in education that teaches the skills that are relevant. We also need to inspire youth to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors so they can create their own jobs!”