Take on the Future of Work with Executive Education

These are turbulent times for the labour market.

The digital economy, emerging technologies, shifting demographics and the effects of globalization are all factors in the disruption.

While some jobs that were once plentiful have been replaced by automation, other positions created by the new economy cannot always be filled by recruiters. Many familiar jobs now have shifting requirements and qualifications. Workers across all industries need to update and renew their skill sets — and, more broadly, their mind sets — in order to be competitive.

The future of work is also the future of executive education and professional development. Learning opportunities are necessary to stay up to date and relevant. This applies to workers at all all levels. Even executives and senior managers get stuck in linear thinking and outdated tactics and lose touch with the realities of the workplace.

Career development is essential in today’s ever-shifting job marketplace. “Upskilling” and “reskilling” are more than just buzzwords, they are the new norm. Succeeding in today’s workplace means taking to heart the importance of continuous learning, self-reliance and pro-active thinking.

What do career professionals need to strive for? More than ever, employers are prioritizing communication skills, both verbal and written, in their hires. Expertise in negotiation and dealing with people in general are highly valued attributes. Management styles have become less authoritarian, and leaders strive to achieve the buy-in of people in their organizations to successfully implement change. The ability to inspire people and communicate ideas is vital.

Basic technical skills in digital literacy and data analytics will round out any set of qualifications, no matter what the job. Appreciation of the big picture of industry trends and influential social and economic forces will allow for more informed decision making. For organizations large and small, continuous learning must be an embedded principle.

The future of work will mean learning agility. The foundation of a college degree is not enough in an ever-changing, tumultuous workplace climate. Executive education is a valuable resource for employees to gain the knowledge and skills they need for both today and tomorrow.