How to Prepare for the Future when the Future is Uncertain

This year has proven that there is no certainty in what the future holds. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all aspects of our lives, from the way we live and engage with our peers to the types of jobs that we are considering as viable today and in the future. Even before everything went off the rails, many people were already wondering what the future of work and society will look like when technology and innovation seems to be changing all industries at a lightning quick pace.

When asked if Canadian youth are being prepared for the workforce, only 44% of youth and 34% of employers said yes. Technologies such as artificial intelligence and robots are increasing global productivity, but they are also drastically reshaping the workforce. To add to this, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to remote workforces. The skills you need for the jobs of tomorrow look much different than those needed by previous generations. It can feel very daunting to plan for a future that might look very uncertain given recent global events, however, there are certain skills which have been identified as priorities for success in the future regardless of roll or industry. Encourage yourself to explore resources and opportunities that can help you to develop the following skills:

Critical Thinking: while machines are predicted to increase in the share of hours related to specific work tasks from 29% in 2018 to 42% in 2022, it is anticipated that there will be increased demand for roles that are focused on understanding and utilizing the latest in emerging technologies. The ability to analyze machine data, extract insights and apply these insights critically to develop solutions is going to be vital in the workplace of the future.

Collaboration: over the past two decades, collaborative activities between managers and employees has increased by 50%. This trend is anticipated to continue as companies see value in considering and integrating diverse perspectives.

Creativity: it isn’t just for artists! As automation is predicted to eliminate many repetitive task-oriented jobs, people are going to be called upon to carry out more thoughtful work as creative problem solving will be key to driving innovation in the workplace.

The future of work may be changing, but we know you have the potential, the ambition and power to impact the world around you and to create the future that you want. That’s why TFO and RBC Future Launch have teamed up to support you in getting #ReadyForTomorrow, a program that includes a social media contest, a webinar that will be brodcast on December 14th and more to develop your skills and inspire your creativity as you imagine and plan for your future career.

Check out the #ReadyForTomorrow contest and take a step toward improving your skills and exploring how RBC Future Launch can help you create your future and empower you for the jobs of tomorrow, regardless of what those jobs might look like.

References

http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_2018.pdf

https://brookfieldinstitute.ca/report/future-proof-preparing-young-canadians-for-the-future-of-work/

https://hbr.org/2016/01/collaborative-overload