Recently, a report was released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), on how future ready its member nations of OECD are in terms of adult learning systems. The analysis should inspire India too to focus on adult learning initiatives to make its workforce future ready. Though many companies are offering their employees courses to upgrade them, as part of their incentives, there is still a long way to go.
The report reveals that it is high time for developed nations to focus on giving a push to their adult training and education initiatives in order to handle the issues that will arise due to rapid automation.
Automation will affect one in seven jobs whereas an additional 30 per cent jobs will require major overhauling. The main concern is that not more than 40 per cent of the workforce will be trained enough to handle automation-related demands and changes.
Many member nations of OECD will have to immediately go for scaling up and upgradation of their adult learning systems so that older employees are future ready.
This can be quite a challenge with most adults not willing to learn and lacking motivation. While it was found that 11 per cent do wish to get trained, they do not have the time or money to do so. Also, they do not receive adequate support from their employers.
It is time for nations to provide full support to adult learners and those with poor skills along with the older lot and migrants.
Employers have to focus on encouraging their workforce to opt for trainings, for which they should be given paid training leave as well as subsidies.
