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Historically low unemployment rates have challenged traditional notions of the skills gap, but employers consistently report difficulties finding skilled talent. And in a World Economic Forum survey of OECD countries, more than one-quarter of adults “reported a mismatch between their current skill sets and the qualifications required to do their jobs.”
Shifting demographics, along with the rise of technology and automation, are changing the way we work — and the way we learn. Americans are living longer and fertility rates are dropping, resulting in a population distribution that will look more like a pillar than a pyramid by 2060. As soon as 2035, the United States will be home to more people over 65 than under 18. Living longer means that retirees will have second careers — if they are healthy.
These shifts put greater pressure on education to prepare younger students for the jobs of tomorrow while simultaneously helping the current workforce upskill and reskill for the jobs of today. If the hallmark of 20th century learning was access to a college education, the 21st century will emphasize frameworks that support lifelong learning. Education is no longer a linear process with the endpoint of a single diploma, but a continuous and fluid process that should help us adapt to changing technological, economic, and social conditions.
In our latest Problem Spotlight, we look at upskilling and reskilling — what it is, why it matters, and who’s working on solutions. Read more.
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