For the past number of weeks I have been updating my online course Future Skills 2030-Prepare for the 4th Industrial Revolution. As a part of this updating process I have been thinking and reading a lot about the future of jobs post the Covid-19 pandemic. In this article I want to share with you the key things that I have learned.

The first thing that I want to say is that technological change is relentless with or without the pandemic. In the online course I cover the major areas of technological change occurring in the world. I discuss technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, nanotechnology and biotechnology. In fact I cover 17 key areas of technological change. I also look at how technological change combines with other major changes such as climate change, globalisation and population growth. In 2020 we have an additional unprecedented driver of global change – the corona virus pandemic.

Change

Before the pandemic came along change was happening anyway in the world and at a rapid pace. A future of work largely defined by an increased prevalence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and digital adoption was always anticipated. In March 2020, more than a third of humanity was in lock-down to prevent the spread of the virus. According to the United Nations the COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems in history, affecting nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 190 countries and all continents. From the start of the pandemic, it was clear that digital businesses and organisations would be among the few winners. And so it has proved. Lockdowns have encouraged a remarkable acceleration in digitalisation across many sectors. These include online retail and digital finance, online entertainment, telehealth, remote working and distance learning.

Lifelong learning

Skills and lifelong learning are crucial for long-term and sustainable growth, productivity and innovation and therefore a key factor for the competitiveness of individuals and businesses of all sizes. In particular the twin green and  digital transitions are reshaping the way we live, work and interact. Covid-19 is an accelerator of change. We live in a time of transitions. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Survey data 2020* shows that nearly half of all workers will need reskilling by 2025. Therefore we all need to reskill and upskill on an ongoing basis to remain relevant.

Taking action

We cannot reply on our employers to provide the reskilling and upkilling that we need. This may or may not happen, therefore we need to take charge of our own learning. Right now I am working to upgrade my own skills for the future. I am undertaking the Cyber Security Specialisation on Coursera which is taught by the New York University. One thing that I have learned is that cyber security is a key cross-cutting issue in our digital world. In the coming years more and more people and things will be connected to the internet of everything. As this happens cyber security will become ever more important and this is an area I am interested in. How about you? How will you re-skill and upskill to prepare for the future of jobs post-covid? A future of work that is now accelerating faster towards us due to the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.

Best wishes,

Tom

PS. If you would like to learn more about the future of work , the technologies and forces driving change in our world and how to reskill and upskill, please check out my online course for the sale price of only $13.99 (90% off): Future Skills 2030-Prepare for the 4th Industrial Revolution. The course has been updated for 2021. The course is also curated as part of the Udemy for Business programme which includes top business courses selected from Udemy.com

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Please note that the above course offers expire on 15/1/2021.

*World Economic Forum – The Future of Jobs Report 2020