Here is how DNS is implementing WEF’s top 6 strategies for a future-ready workforce – Digital Nova Scotia – Leading Digital Industry
Here is how DNS is implementing WEF’s top 6 strategies for a future-ready workforce

January 31, 2024

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, the workforce landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. According to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2023, almost a quarter of jobs are expected to change in the next five years, with 69 million new jobs created and 83 million eliminated. 

Digital Nova Scotia (DNS) is proactively addressing this shift by aligning our initiatives with the WEF’s top six strategies for building a future-ready workforce, which were discussed at the 2024 annual meeting in Davos earlier this month. 

Bridging Performance Gaps with Generative AI:

By offering training programs that emphasize the practical application of generative AI, DNS is ensuring that individuals and organizations can enhance their capabilities and contribute effectively to the digital economy. Some of our recent trainings on AI include:

Higher Education and Skills Training:

Through partnerships with various organizations and educational institutions, DNS is investing in practical, hands-on learning experiences that prepare individuals for the dynamic requirements of the technology sector, including:

  • Skills for Hire Atlantic: Our career-building program that will upskill 1,500 Atlantic Canada in cybersecurity or data analytics over three years
  • Tech Sales Plus: Our 12-week training course that upskills participants in the fundamentals of tech sales, customer success and account management
  • Next Level Skills: Free multi-day courses focused on improving Nova Scotia’s productivity, profitability, innovation, technology, international competitiveness, while fostering workplace diversity.
  • Digital Discovery Camp: Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, our Digital Discovery Camp brings interactive learning together with the tech sector to provide unforgettable experiences for Nova Scotian youth, showing them the innovative technologies being developed here—and the incredible career opportunities.

Frontline Manager Support: 

DNS recognizes the significance of frontline managers in guiding employees through the evolving skills landscape. DNS actively provides resources and training programs for managers, ensuring they possess the necessary skills to support and foster the development of their teams. Some upcoming resources include:

Partnerships:

Creating community and engaging with our ecosystem partners, government and our business community is paramount to the work we do at DNS. By collaborating with our partners, educational institutions and industry leaders, we are confident that we will move forward towards a common goal of supporting Nova Scotia’s digital community.

Public-Private Collaboration: 

At DNS, we have built strong relationships with both the public and private sectors. Our member base is our direct connection to industry and their feedback and needs drive our work. Our workshops, webinars and upskilling programs are influenced by the market, and we work closely with curriculum providers to match the needs of our sector.

Investment in People and Technology:

Through various initiatives, DNS is closing skills gaps by investing in training programs for individuals at all levels. We offer various training programs that not only help people enter the tech sector, but also enhance the skills of those already working in tech. A large focus of ours is making the sector more diverse and welcoming, and we do so in a number of ways, including: 

  • Digital Skills for Women+: This program is designed for underrepresented gender identities in the tech sector (including women, transgender, non-binary, Two-Spirit individuals, etc.) who do not have previous experience in the tech industry and are interested in learning more about industry-related topics, the ecosystem and career opportunities.
  • Tech Forward Awards: Our annual awards gala features eight unique awards designed to celebrate, highlight and recognize organizations and individuals making a positive impact in Nova Scotia’s ICT sector through best hiring practices and a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Research Projects: Our research projects enhance our efforts to support our local tech sector as it grows and thrives—and the people within it. Our Changing Perspectives tool measures IT competencies for high-demand jobs in N.S.; Quality of Work investigated the hybrid and virtual work models and their impacts on the quality of work; Digital Essential Skills is a competency framework and assessment tool to help individuals better understand the entry-level digital competencies most valued by employers; Beyond Digital Recognition will help job seekers better recognize key non-technical competencies that are deemed relevant and in demand in the ICT sector.

Future of Jobs Report 2023 Key Findings: 

  • Employers estimate that 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted in the next five years.
  • Technology adoption will remain a key driver of business transformation in the next five years.
  • The impact of most technologies on jobs is expected to be a net positive over the next five years. Big data analytics, climate change and environmental management technologies, and encryption and cybersecurity are expected to be the biggest drivers of job growth.
  • The skills that companies report to be increasing in importance the fastest are not always reflected in corporate upskilling strategies. 
  • Within technology adoption, big data, cloud computing and AI feature highly on likelihood of adoption, with more than 75% of companies are looking to adopt these technologies in the next five years. 
  • The fastest-growing roles relative to their size today are driven by technology, digitalization and sustainability. The majority of the fastest growing roles are technology-related roles.
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