Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0, is transforming the way people live and work. Disruptive technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) are converging, blurring the boundaries between the physical, digital, and biological worlds.

As digitalisation accelerates, the skills needed for success in the modern workplace are rapidly changing. Digital tools are automating or augmenting traditional tasks, while new technology-driven job opportunities are emerging in fields like cloud computing, digital marketing, and data analytics.

To thrive in this new reality, we must equip students with the skills they’ll need in the future workforce. We must also ensure that current employees have opportunities to upskill and adapt. However, the fast-paced and innovative nature of the technology sector presents a challenge: how can we effectively prepare tomorrow’s workers for the jobs of the future?

Addressing the Skills Gap

Within the next 10-20 years, 90% of jobs will require some level of digital proficiency. Many assume that younger generations, like millennials and Gen Z, are inherently tech-savvy due to their early exposure to technology. However, the skills they use in their personal lives may not always align with those required professionally.

We must also consider the existing workforce. In the UK, an estimated 11.8 million people (36% of the workforce) lack the essential digital skills needed for work. As technology advances, employees will need ongoing support to acquire new skills and adapt to evolving digital tools and processes.

Educators face the challenge of identifying and prioritising the specific digital skills that will best prepare students for future success. However, many businesses have yet to clearly define their own long-term skills requirements. A recent report reveals that few employers have conducted comprehensive strategic workforce planning or forecasted their skills needs beyond a 1-2 year horizon.

To bridge this gap, businesses must communicate their future skills requirements to educators more actively. This will enable the development of curricula and training programs that align with the evolving demands of the job market. By fostering collaboration between industry and education, we can better equip the workforce with the digital skills needed to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.