Dive Brief:
- Emerging technologies are transforming work but the employees of the future — today's students — are unprepared, according to a new report by Deloitte Global and GBC-Education. In fact, 1.8 billion youth worldwide stand to be left behind by the changes, it said, and marginalized youth, including young women and girls, are the most at risk.
- The report identified four skills the workforce of the future must have: workforce readiness (time management, personal presentation and attendance), soft skills (creativity, complex problem solving, emotional intelligence and critical thinking), technical skills and entrepreneurship.
- Employers must lead the charge to prevent this gap by defining and communicating what skills are needed in the future, the report said. They also must work with educators, governments and non-profits to ensure that future employees are receiving the education they need.
Dive Insight:
It may come as no surprise to HR leaders that the workplace of the future will require new skills, and that it will be up to employers to communicate their talent needs. According to a 2018 Future Workforce HR Report, HR professionals are already looking beyond today's requirements and focusing on what the future of work will look like.
Investments in training will be necessary and, as previous reports have noted, school-business partnerships may be the key to creating a solid applicant pool. The Deloitte report offered similar recommendations, suggesting that employers partner with others to identify gaps in training, find opportunities for co-investment and share information about future talent needs. Business also can help governments set policy; evaluate, invest in and promote workforce training programs; and promote inclusivity and innovation.
But training remains paramount. "At the heart of the issue is quality education and training," said Sarah Brown, founder and executive chair of GBC-Education, in a statement; "And business is a critical part of the solution."
