Over the past few months, whenever I have been at a conference, one of the main topics has been the expected disruption we will experience in the future due to rapidly improving technical capabilities. These discussions center around the impact that artificial intelligence and robotics will have on all aspects of the economy, and specifically future employment. The experts tend to conclude that skills of the future will rely heavily on uniquely human skills - something that computers and robots will not be able to replicate. What does this mean for our youth - will they be prepared for this disruption?
Due to the importance of this topic, RBC engaged in a one year research project, and have recently published a summary of their findings, titled Humans Wanted. The study looked into the changing demand for Canadian skills and the impact that automation of work will have on our workplace.
It concluded that 75% of all current jobs will face disruption from technology and automation over the next decade. We will see jobs transform dramatically while others may disappear completely. This can seem scary, especially for those of us with school aged children - we want to make sure that our youth are prepared for the jobs of the future. While jobs may disappear we have to remember many new ones will be created. These new careers will likely focus on skills such as critical thinking, judgement, problem solving and emotional intelligence. The future holds many exciting technological advancements that will improve and disrupt how we live and work. It is important that we prepare the next generation to be adaptable, in order to deal with disruption. I encourage you to read the findings of this project and share this information with the school aged children and young adults in your lives.
To find a summary of this report please review the article Four things you need to know about the future of work.
To read the full report please click here Humans Wanted: How Canadian youth can thrive in the age of disruption.
As employers, educators and community leaders RBC felt they needed to do more to help the next generation of Canadians so last year, RBC announced RBC Future Launch, a 10 year, $500 million commitment to help Canadian youth prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.