There’s a lot of hype out there around the future of work. You may be wondering: what does the future of work look like? How can I thrive?
At the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS), we’re eager to distill the important facts about 21st-century skills. Here’s what you need to know:
Lifelong learning
Learning and having a career isn’t a linear path like it might have been in the past; it’s an intricate journey full of twists, turns, and exciting opportunities. It doesn’t end once you’ve earned a college or university credential! Continuing education is critical for workforce engagement and personal satisfaction.
Skills gap
This term means there is a disconnect between the qualifications employers are looking for, and the skill sets that potential employees have. This gap has widened. Why? The pandemic, shifting changes in digital technology, and dynamic global markets have accelerated changes that were already occurring pre-COVID-19.
Industry 4.0
Don’t be freaked out by this scary-sounding term! Industry 4.0, also called the Fourth Industrial Revolution, simply refers to the increasing emphasis on digital and technology-focused skill requirements. We’ve moved beyond the emergence of the personal computer, and we are in a new era of automation and artificial intelligence.
Upskilling and reskilling
These have a common goal, but they are easy to mix up! Upskilling means you are enhancing your current knowledge and skills, whereas reskilling means you are building on your existing knowledge while gaining in-demand skills in a new domain. Both help you gain 21st-century job qualifications.
What does this all mean?
Industry 4.0 = Increasing skills gap. The answer to the skills gap? Lifelong learning! At SCS, we offer dynamic continuing education opportunities that can help you grow and thrive in the face of unprecedented change.
