5 Predictions for Education and Jobs for the Future in 2020!

By Kevin Cojanu, PhD

Like all things this time of year, we often reflect on the past year and take time to dwell on what might have been and what we might have done differently. This exercise is often valuable and can be invaluable in determining the Future and 2020. However, there is something lost in the process that has always caused me to ponder the overall value of such exercises. One such ponder is that the exercise becomes more related to how we failed or did not exercise the right approach. As a Subject Matter Expert or maybe a Futurist in Experiential Learning, I have always proclaimed the critical nature of reflection when challenges arise, or something does not go well. Moreover, we miss the point in these actions because there is no learning, just blame. The key phrase that is missing in the review and planning of people and organizations is, "How do we fix this and move forward?"

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING is the central focus of these predictions for 2020. Despite all the glowing pronouncements that there is no problem with our economy or the job market, I would ask everyone to look deeper. Our unemployment rate and the existing job market are about multiple jobs per person, no healthcare, student loan debt, and the list goes on.

With that said, I am reflecting and planning, but most of all, I want to offer my Futurist position on what I think 2020 should mean and how I plan to work towards a real future for Education and Jobs for the Future.

5. PARTNERSHIP WITHOUT FEAR

I could cite multiple research studies regarding the importance of Partnerships between Industry, Education, and Workforce; however, it would fall on death ears. Our challenges are that all 3 of these entities think they can do it better than the other. With that said, I conducted my research regarding partnerships across these entities and found that there is a failure to communicate across all these organizations. Education believes they can do it better than anyone, Industry thinks Education does not get it, and Workforce wants people to pay attention to them so they can help individuals get work.

From experience, my organization has engaged with many organizations from K12 to college to Workforce. In the conversations, many want to change the opportunities and create real opportunities for the success of every student they touch. On the flip side, it is all about moving numbers and getting students off the data that might impact the organization.

Understanding the Catch-22 that exists MY PREDICTION for 2020 is that Partnerships between Industry, Education, and Workforce will grow. Now, we need to realize that a Partnership can take many forms. One notable example of a true Partnership is organizations that work together to create opportunities that have student success for the Future in mind. It might be a mutual agreement to share the cost of delivering a program or working lockstep on grant opportunities that will change the dynamic of individuals and communities. Partnerships are about creating effective change and contributing to mutual success for everyone – it is not about we can do it better.

4. INNOVATION TO BUILD EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

When you look at the literature related to the demand and importance of competencies to every career path known to man, there is a disproportionate attempt to deliver these necessary skills. We think that the consumption of just knowledge changes everything – it does not!

I speak to Business and Education Leaders who often indicate our system of Education struggles to innovate. And if you do not believe me take some time to review the recent literature and Industry surveys that back this statement – I am not going to bore you with numbers.

The questions we have to ask ourselves are all about innovation, not process, and not how, but when and who are we going to Partner with to create and execute innovation that changes the world of Education to prepare for meaningful "Future of Work" Work Opportunities for everyone.

MY PREDICTION for 2020 is that those across Industry, Education, and Workforce will seek out innovation and open their position to new methods that will change the outcomes of all students. We have a one-size-fits-all system that needs to recognize that Experiential Learning at a much, much higher level is the answer to reach students at varied learning types and levels. It might sound broad in nature; however, developing Core Career Competencies and the better-known Soft-Skills for Jobs of the Future must become a more significant part of the learning process, and I do not mean STEM or STEAM.

3. TECHNOLOGY IS CRUCIAL, BUT…

Let's be straightforward – Technology is the key to the Future of Work – BUT, when technology is determined to be the End-All-Be-All, "Houston, we have a problem." We need to pay close attention to the facts at least three generations are technology-dependent and do NOT know how to communicate nor solve problems through peer engagement or to seek others to assist. Again, I do not need to quote research or literature.

Engagement today has become text, Tik Tok, and Facebook – None of which create an effective line of communication. We seek a higher level of tech connections on Linkedin, and we engage in the same methods these generations do, and we fear the personal relationship. On a personal note, I have been participating on Linkedin from the beginning and find extreme value in every connection I have the privilege of making – the difference is I often choose to make connections that expand to direct personal conversations that enhance my experiential learning that increases my knowledge and understanding. These connections have developed into great friendships that endure today.

I must be selfish for a moment as success through communication and tech is genuinely a severe problem that needs addressing in 2020. At Pole Star Experiential Learning, we are about finding the balance of building Core Career Competencies or Soft-Skills utilizing virtual Internships that make the combined tech and engagement factors needed today across all career paths. To BE CLEAR, the Future of Work is not the Development of Technology as this train will never slow down. The real Future of Work is the development of Competencies and Soft-Skills that will drive communication and engagement to create and innovate careers. I want to share an experience I had with a Dean at a large prestige's Educational Institution. This individual was so stressed because they could not clearly articulate what "ARE" the Jobs of the Future. The Institution wanted to be a game-changer and define these paths. When I asked about Career Competencies and Soft-Skills, the response was they are unimportant as they do not develop jobs or have anything to do with the Future

MY PREDICTION for 2020 is that Industry, Education, and Workforce will begin to reset the definition and expectation of how to develop the people resources to create what Jobs for the Future is all about. We need to establish a complete package in every worker to develop the next Industrial Revolution.

2. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IS NOTHING TO FEAR

Easier said than done when reading the literature. The fear is high and unfortunately consuming.

We need to understand this fear for a moment in the simplest of concepts. People fear being replaced by a machine and are concerned about what they will do if that happens. We can look at other industries across all the revolutions and see that there was no future planning, and our education system often did not adjust to meet the necessary demand. Coal replaced by renewable energy; fossil fuel being replaced by electric in the auto industry are just two broad changes we see before our eyes. 

To be clear again, the challenges come from fear of losing something that has been a staple in someone's life. Additionally, Education has struggled to advance the change to keep up with Industry Revolutions. We must be fair; it is not without trying as many institutions are underfunded. Additionally, I want to have everyone reread #2 above.

Without belaboring the points about the fear that SkyNet will take over and the Terminator will come to change the future, we need to focus on pointing out that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is setting the stage for success and change to advance everyone. AI offers opportunities to create new areas of innovation, thought, and experiences that change how we operate. Sounds simple, does it not. I have all ways been a Keep It Simple (KIS) person, and AI is an accelerator of change, so it is simple. However, AI does not alleviate the shortage of Core Career Competencies and Soft-Skills in the equation. I will draw reference to #3 above.

MY PREDICTION for 2020 is a merger of AI, Competencies, and Soft-Skills will merge to strengthen the knowledge and understanding that will make AI a crucial partner across every Industry, and the human acceptance will repurpose fear to a successful transition to the Future of the 4th Industrial Revolution. It is about knowledge, what does not mean to me, and how do I learn more so I can participate in the Future.

1. CHANGE

As a SME and Futurist, this is the one prediction that is often clouded in the quatrains that come from my bowl of M&M's. Change is something that just plain happens. There is no formula or policy that drives change. However, there is evolution. When we look at the drivers in our world, we see technology, advances in medicine, climate change, human rights, and the fast-paced list goes on. Change is the constant of the human race, and we will forever be part of a forced level of change because it is inevitable.

So now that I have said the obvious let me outline my number one prediction for Education and Jobs for the Future in 2020.

MY PREDICTION for 2020 is that CHANGE will become one of the essential conditions for changing the relationships between Industry, Education, and Workforce. Let me be clear that this is NOT anything new. However, there are not enough people willing to devote themselves to be a part of this change and to develop a K12, College, and Workforce. My organization and I are committed to this change as we see the desperate need to build a partnership that changes the direction of the Workforce embody robust Core Career Competencies, Soft-Skills, and Job Skills to meet the demand Employers are seeking in today's workforce market.

Everyone seems satisfied to build knowledge but fail to recognize the importance of real Experiential Learning by creating experience coupled with coaching that develops an employee who will be ready to compete for and establish the Jobs for the Future.

I am asking everyone across Industry, Education, and Workforce who seeks to develop real Experiential Learning programs that change the dynamic of the Future of Work, please reach out to me, and we will begin the process of Partnering for the Future!

Kevin Cojanu, PhD

Founder and CEO

Pole Star Experiential Learning

[email protected]

+1-772-607-1945

www.PoleStarEL.com