“The Power of Lifelong Learning” - Future Proof your Career
Rory Francis Comiskey Digital Transformation Champion
TV Host, Author, Public Speaker and Workforce & Manufacturing Evangelist
The typical person entering the job market for the first time can expect at least two, if not three, distinct career changes over their working lives. This trend reflects a broader shift towards career mobility, driven by technological advancements, evolving job requirements, and changing personal and professional priorities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person holds around 12.4 jobs between the ages of 18 and 54.
A LinkedIn survey revealed that 47% of workers plan to make a career change due to the impacts of the pandemic, emphasizing a shift towards better work-life balance and job satisfaction.
Additionally, 64% of furloughed employees in industries like hospitality and travel are planning to reskill for sectors such as technology and education. This highlights the necessity for continuous learning and adaptation in today's job market.
Extent of Need and Availability
?Extent of Need:?The need for retraining in the modern workplace is driven by rapid technological advancements and automation. McKinsey reports that 62% of executives believe they will need to retrain or replace more than a quarter of their workforce due to these changes?.
?This necessity is particularly acute in the United States and Europe, where 64% and 70% of executives, respectively, see technological disruption affecting a significant portion of their workforce.
The World Economic Forum also highlights that 42% of core skills required to perform existing jobs are expected to change within the next two years.
Workforce Development:?Workforce development initiatives are critical in addressing these needs. These programs focus on equipping both degreed professionals and those on vocational tracks with the necessary skills to navigate the evolving job market.
Workforce development aims to enhance the capabilities of workers through various means such as education, training, and professional development opportunities. For degreed professionals, this often involves advanced certifications, continuing education, and specialized training in emerging fields like AI and data science.
For those on vocational tracks, workforce development may include apprenticeships, technical training programs, and certifications in trades such as electrical work, plumbing, and IT support.
Popular Training and Certification Programs
IT Certifications:?The demand for IT skills continues to grow, making IT certifications particularly valuable. Certifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+, and GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF) provide essential skills for careers in IT and cybersecurity.
These certifications validate a candidate's knowledge and readiness for various roles, from network administrators to cybersecurity analysts.
?Workforce development programs often incorporate these certifications to ensure that participants are well-prepared for the demands of the modern job market.
Microlearning and Nanolearning:? Microlearning involves short, focused learning sessions, which are becoming increasingly popular in the workplace.
LinkedIn Learning's 2024 Workplace Learning Report indicates that 47% of Learning & Development (L&D) teams plan to deploy microlearning programs in 2024.
These programs allow employees to integrate learning into their daily routines without significant disruptions, enhancing their ability to acquire new skills continuously.
Demand for Specific Skills
AI and Machine Learning:?As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies become more prevalent, the demand for skills in these areas is surging. Certifications in AI and ML help professionals stay ahead of the curve. For instance, Google offers a range of certifications through its Google Cloud platform, such as the Google Cloud Digital Leader certification, which provides foundational knowledge in cloud technologies.
Project Management:?Project management skills are highly sought after across various industries.
The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification is designed for individuals seeking to enter project management roles. This certification helps professionals develop the skills needed to manage projects effectively and is a stepping stone to more advanced certifications like the Project Management Professional (PMP)?.
Support from Employers
Corporate Investment in Retraining:?Many corporations are taking proactive steps to address skills gaps by investing in employee retraining. Amazon, for instance, announced a $700 million investment in 2020 to upskill 100,000 employees by 2025. Similarly, IBM has created numerous apprenticeship programs to help workers transition into new roles within the company.
?Executive Perspectives:?Executives widely recognize the importance of retraining as a strategic priority. McKinsey reports that 82% of executives at companies with more than $100 million in annual revenues believe that retraining and reskilling must be at least half of the solution to addressing skills gaps.
This perspective is particularly strong in Europe, where 94% of executives see retraining as essential?().
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Alternative and Flexible Learning Options
Online Courses and MOOCs:?Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and other online learning platforms offer flexible and accessible options for skill development. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning provide courses on a wide range of topics, often for free or at a low cost.
These courses allow individuals to learn at their own pace and often include certificates of completion that can enhance their resumes.
Private Sector Training Programs:?In addition to online courses, many private sector companies offer in-house training programs. For example, Accenture has pledged up to $1 billion annually for retraining its workforce.
?Such initiatives not only help employees acquire new skills but also ensure that companies have the talent needed to stay competitive in a rapidly changing market?.
Conclusion
The landscape of career training and certification is evolving to meet the demands of a modern, dynamic job market. Continuous learning, supported by a mix of corporate investment, online education platforms, and public retraining programs, is essential for workers to stay competitive and adaptable.
This multifaceted approach to education and skill development ensures that individuals, whether degreed professionals or those on vocational tracks, are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the future workplace, fostering a workforce that is resilient, skilled, and capable of thriving in an ever-changing job market.
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?Sources/Reference Material(s):
TV Host, Author, Public Speaker and Workforce & Manufacturing Evangelist
4 个月Per request: To foster a learning culture, consider the insights from the course Creating a Culture of Learning. It emphasizes engaging employees through learning to find purpose in their work. For example, in your organization, you could integrate learning into daily operations, encouraging your team to pursue micro-certifications and nano-degrees relevant to your industry's evolving needs. https://builtin.com/articles/continuous-learning
TV Host, Author, Public Speaker and Workforce & Manufacturing Evangelist
4 个月Per request: To implement microlearning effectively, focus on creating concise, interactive content that targets specific learning objectives. Develop short, engaging training modules on operational planning or strategic partnerships, making them accessible on mobile devices for on-the-go learning. This approach aligns with the need for continuous skill development in the dynamic business consulting and services industry. https://builtin.com/articles/continuous-learning
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4 个月Completely support your suggestions Rory Francis Comiskey Digital Transformation Champion, In my life MOOC course has significantly helped to evolve my career