7 Labour Market Shifts Driving Adult UpSkilling
The job market is changing rapidly, and innovations in automation, sustainability, and digital technology are changing job roles across different industries. Learning new skills is the key to adapting to an evolving job market and the future of work for long-term career success.
This article outlines seven labour market trends that are now influencing adult learning. Along the way, you will find helpful steps to align your skills for the future in practical ways, including engagement in courses or certifications connected to future opportunities.
Automation Exposure
Automation, in the form of Robotics, is beginning to take over many tasks that are repetitive and done manually across various sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and retail. In addition to increasing efficiencies, it is also disrupting traditional roles and models of work which will spark skills in supervisory roles that manage automation or maintain/complement automated processes.
Workers will need to continuously cultivate adaptability to navigate automation as it becomes more advanced.
You can also continue to prepare for this shift by developing skills in robotics programming or machine operation. Certifications in emerging technology, or programs in construction and trade can also develop skills related to crossing the divide created by automation.
Workers affected by this shift can also consider certifications in Emerging Technologies, coding courses or even online trade programs so that they can remain competitive.
Green Jobs Growth
Global momentum around sustainability has accelerated the expansion of renewable energy, conservation, and green technologies. Solar energy, electric vehicles, and sustainable construction all have occupations that call for workers with specific green skills.
This focus on green skills exists within a context that includes the environmentally driven aspirations of organizers to become carbon neutral, and some policy instruments for governments to eventually accomplish this objective.
Workers can develop their skills through training programs or acquiring certifications in renewable energy technology systems or sustainability management. Training courses, for example, that provide instruction in solar panel installation or who specialize in sustainable building techniques can be pathways to some of those occupations.
Keeping a pulse on emerging policies around sustainability, workers can remain ahead of the curve to develop the green skills necessary to succeed in the market.
Healthcare Demand
An increase in aged populations and growing medical technology encourages demand for health professionals to do more than ever. Many new roles still require professionals to have experience at a traditional role level, but there are additional roles that require expertise of specialized fields of practice including telemedicine, biotechnology, and elder care service provision.
The expertise needed for these roles reinforces the growing complexity of patient needs and demands globally.
There are new additional upskilling opportunities such as courses in health informatics, or caregiving certifications that align with new approaches to care and patient needs or experiences.
While returning to education, you may want to figure out some of the newer ways to educate in health professions such as digital health tools or remote patient monitoring that help professionals prepare for new foci for practice in health.
Flexibility is essential to prepare for all new challenges in this critically important sector of the workforce.
AI Complementarity
Innovation using artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer simply replacing roles, rather it is adjusting them. In many cases, positions now consist of humans applying creativity while using AI through tools and applications to develop better decisions or productivities.
Humans will need to obtain some skills to better work with AI systems, such as those used to analyze data, to conduct research/ writing content, or to gain customer insights.
As a response to the AI age, a first step for professionals is to identify some training programs and education regarding AI usage in their field of study (including their respective workplace).
Such courses could include a basic overview of machine learning, or learning about interpreting data from AI.
Today's roles and responsibilities will gain significantly if there is an understanding of how to work with AI as a co-worker rather than a competitor.
Remote Work Dispersion
The practice of remote work affords enterprises the opportunity to access talent pools around the world and fosters competition across borders. It also places a stronger emphasis on communicating digitally, self-managing workload, and collaborating with remote teams.
As work becomes distributed, workers will need the ability to adapt to be successful and remain relevant for the networked workforce.
It is vital to gain competency using project management software or meeting platforms.
Additionally, short courses on remote leadership or practice productivity techniques are all useful for improving your effectiveness, no matter your location.
Being tech-savvy enables professionals to keep up with skills being recast to accommodate flexible work and the shifts in traditional employment.
Industry-Specific Skills Evolution
Technological innovations and emerging consumer behaviors will continue to innovate and disrupt entire sectors. In retail, this may mean e-commerce strategies become omnipresent, while finance and banking sectors may explore blockchain solutions. Due to these ongoing innovations, every industry or sector has unique skills or competencies.
If learners find themselves in an industry where there are ever changing competencies, professionals are often better positioned to remain agile by identifying trends in their respective fields.
Another means of remaining relevant may be seeking courses in their industry related to the change—e.g. digital marketing for retail, or blockchain fundamentals for finance.
Further, networking to gain valuable connections as to what is next in the profession or industry ensures they are not lagging behind the competencies to be employed.
Lifelong Learning Needs
Conventional career trajectories are characterized by gradually less linear paths. People change roles, occupational sectors, or specializations more frequently/willingly, due to shifting economic circumstances and personal aspirations for their own growth. This requires continual skills development throughout a person's career to remain flexible and employable.
The availability of more flexible learning modalities such as micro-credentials or short courses delivered through online learning supports continuous skills development.
Specific transferrable skill programs for individuals- leadership, critical thinking, and digital fluency - which assist with transitions.
The continuous to perpetually learning perspective assists individuals in their ability to adapt and remain effective in unpredictable dynamic labor markets.
Wrapping Up
Changes in the labor market require staying up-to-date and continuously learning.
In each job market change, whether it is from green jobs, AI, or any other area, there will be growth opportunities.
Upskilling is worth pursuing now whether it is through specific courses, or certification, and to ensure firm career resiliency and preparedness for the future.
When you think of yourself as an investment, the skills you build go a long way toward making you competitive, adaptable and prepared for the job market in the future.
