TECH4GOOD
The digital revolution, climate change, and the wider adoption of new environmental, social and governance or ESG standards are reshaping the global job market at an unprecedented speed. The question remains, “How are we preparing our youth for the jobs of tomorrow?”.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 says that in the next five years, 23 percent of current jobs worldwide are expected to change significantly. The employers surveyed are expecting 60 million jobs to be created and 83 million jobs eliminated or a net decrease of 14 million jobs representing two percent of current employment.
The report further says that the fastest-growing jobs in 2023 are those related to autonomous and electric vehicle engineering, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, sustainability and fintech engineering, data science, and analyst roles including those of business, information security, and data. Surprisingly, non-technology roles such as heavy truck and bus drivers, agricultural equipment operators, mechanics, and vocational education teachers will continue to increase in terms of jobs created.
On the other hand, the report also highlights that AI and frontier technologies are fast making repetitive and rules-based roles such as those of customer service agents, clerks, bank tellers, and cashiers disappear. I am so surprised to see that the jobs of legislators and government officials are among the top 10 fast-declining jobs.
I personally do not think that the Philippines will be significantly affected by the findings of the report in the next five years. However, as the workforce of the future, our youth must be adequately prepared to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We need to have a comprehensive approach that encompasses education, skills development, adaptability, nurturing the love for STEM subjects, and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.
To prepare our youth for the future of work, our education systems, most especially basic education, may have to undergo a paradigm shift. It has to focus on developing future-ready skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, communication, collaboration, and digital literacy. Additionally, interdisciplinary education should be encouraged to enable students to connect knowledge from various domains and develop a holistic understanding of complex issues.
Integrating technology in classrooms and adopting innovative teaching methods can enhance engagement and foster a culture of continuous learning. This will require, however, a more inclusive and robust digital infrastructure to be in place. Or else, we will end up with a situation where only those studying in the metropolis will end up benefitting from the adoption of digital technology in education. Setting up well-equipped computer laboratories will go a long way in providing these students with the right tools to widen their learning horizons. To make this effective, we also need all the teachers to be well-capacitated to teach using these tech tools.
Equipping our youth with relevant skills is crucial for them to thrive in the future workplace. The government, educational institutions, and businesses should collaborate to offer comprehensive training programs aligned with emerging industries and occupations. The emerging method today is in micro-credentials which I have previously written about. By identifying skill gaps and future job trends, training initiatives can be tailored to meet the demands of the job market. Internship opportunities and apprenticeship programs can provide practical experiences and bridge the gap between education and work.
I have observed that a lot of our kids are shying away from STEM-related learning tracks and courses. We need workers who have specialized in humanities and social sciences but, considering that most future job roles are technical in nature, we need to get our kids to start loving science and math as well. Maybe, a nationwide STEM-based skills competition among basic education schools would help get these students to get engaged.
The ability to adapt to changing workplaces is paramount in the future of work. Our youth must be encouraged to embrace continuous learning and develop a growth mindset by promoting a culture of lifelong learning.
In an era of rapid innovation and entrepreneurship, cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among our youth is also crucial. Education should not only prepare individuals to seek employment but also encourage them to be creators and innovators. Schools should integrate entrepreneurship education, teaching students about business fundamentals, problem-solving, risk-taking, and the value of failure as a learning opportunity.
There is no foolproof solution to getting our workforce ready for the future. But Saadia Zahidi, managing director of the World Economic Forum has this to say in the report, “The good news is that there is a clear way forward to ensure resilience. Governments and businesses must invest in supporting the shift to the jobs of the future through education, reskilling, and social support structures that can ensure individuals are at the heart of the future of work.” [email protected]
(The author is the lead convenor of the Alliance for Technology Innovators for the Nation (ATIN), vice president of the Analytics Association of the Philippines, and vice president, UP System Information Technology Foundation.)