An extraordinary confluence of powerful forces is transforming both the world of work and the ways we educate current and future employees to contribute productively to the workplace. Automation and digital technologies are profoundly transforming how business is done at every level.
The Future of Work: Optimizing the Talent Pipeline starts with the premise that the exploding scope and pace of technological innovation in the digital age is fast transforming the fundamental nature of work. Due to these developments, and their rapid pace, the skills and preparation that employers need from their talent pool are shifting. The accelerated pace of evolution and disruption in the competitive business landscape demands that workers not only be technically proficient, but also exceptionally agile in their capacity to think and act creatively and quickly learn new skills. Employee capabilities in leadership, teamwork, and communications are also paramount.
In addition to technological disruption, demographic forces are also impacting the workplace, compelling higher education to respond in turn. The increased longevity of human beings means that many careers will span 60 years and more, creating a sustained need for continual reskilling so that workers remain productive with relevant skills. Meanwhile, evolving demographic trends are shattering the relative homogeneity that once defined the workforce by opening the pipeline to employment for a more diverse employee population. Given these trends, higher education has a vital role to play in ably preparing learners to meet the immediate requirements of the workplace, as well as the uncertain demands of the future. This work explores how these transformative forces are--or should be--driving innovations in how colleges and universities prepare students for their careers. Focused on the impact of this confluence of forces at the nexus of work and higher education, the books authors--an illustrious group of leading educators, prominent employers, and other thought leaders--answer several profound questions about how business and higher education can best collaborate in support of the twenty-first century workforce.
