The global pandemic has resulted in millions of jobs lost, whole industries changed forever, and a workforce and employers who may be struggling to keep up with rapidly evolving skills-requirements and adapting to an increasingly digitized world of work. These factors can create barriers between those looking to hire and job seekers looking to enter, re-enter and/or progress in the workforce of 2021+.
During the pandemic, many employees have been laid-off from jobs in industries, such as retail, leisure and tourism, etc., that will not be rehiring, or will require employees to have a different skill set. Research by McKinsey & Company found that compared to before the pandemic, 25% more workers may need to switch occupations, and Randstad’s Skilling Today survey reported that nearly 70% of HR professionals now ask or require employees to upskill or reskill to meet changing business needs. Yet most companies only offer training opportunities to team leads, managers and/or high-potential employees, leaving others to fend for themselves.
The current rate of upskilling and reskilling would take decades to prepare job seekers to enter the workforce, which by then would have a very different outlook of the future of work. Thus, it is imperative for job seekers and employees to take advantage of opportunities to re-skill and for employers, government, community agencies, and post-secondary institutions to provide those opportunities.
Reskilling for Greater Prosperity dives into the topic of how re-skilling and upskilling initiatives can help employers and communities combat skill gaps for now and years to come. Join regional leaders as they share their experiences, learnings and insights related to this:
