The Fourth Industrial Revolution Preparing the Workforce for the New World of Work
Essay Preview: The Fourth Industrial Revolution Preparing the Workforce for the New World of Work
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[pic 1]Meeting Highlights: Post-school Access Community of PracticeThe Fourth Industrial Revolution: Preparing the workforce for the new world of workSetting the sceneThe world-of-work is changing, which raises important questions about how post-school education and training should prepare people for the new work environment.Post-school education and training expert Suzanne Hattingh explored this topic at the BRIDGE Post-school Access Community of Practice on 12 October 2017.The Fourth Industrial RevolutionThe previous three industrial revolutions have been defined by the technological advances that enabled them, i.e. steam engines, electricity and computers. The Fourth Industrial Revolution refers to advanced technologies that have the potential to radically change the way we work and live our lives.[pic 2]Some already existing examples of these disruptive technologies are the mobile internet, cloud computing, advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, driverless vehicles, renewable energy, 3-D printing, the automation of knowledge work, genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and the internet of things.While the impact of these technologies may be largely positive, the Fourth Industrial Revolution poses serious challenges for society, and the implications for education and skills development are significant.[pic 3]What makes the Fourth Industrial Revolution different from previous revolutions?The Fourth Industrial Revolution has so much potential to bring about change because it is driven by a fusion of the technologies, which multiplies possibilities and increases their impact. Its two main characteristics are:the speed of change, as new technologies and the possibilities for using them evolvethe breadth and depth of change, as the new technologies significantly influence the global economy, the way businesses operate, the way goods are produced, and the way we live, learn, work, communicate and manage our environment.VIDEO:
New behaviours, where people and organisation use new ways to communicate, collaborate, share, access information and create content. This is changing how work is structured and organised.Changing demographics and the influence of millennials, who expect to work in ways that reflect their view of the world and how they interface with it.[pic 5]Organisations that respond to these trends by creating workplaces where people want to work instead of simply as places where people need to work will have more success in attracting and retaining talented individuals.VIDEO: Five trends shaping the future of work