What is the research and ideas on the future of jobs from an Australian perspective? We hear much about the US job market but although there are many similarities, there are also many differences impacting on the Australian situation which require consideration such as:
- Population - 23million v 213million
- Geographic location - semi isolation from northern hemisphere
- Climate - on the whole temperate with extremes of heat rather than cold
- Higher education system - more accessessible (although change is in the air)
- Population distribution - concentrated around coastal cities, principally in the south east
- Age - Australia is a very young country with general openness to new ideas
- Natural resources - have been financially advantageous but are not infinite.
It's interesting therefore, to read the article Job survival in the age of robots and intelligent machines by David Tuffley on The Conversation in which he examines where we stand and the Australian Government's approach to future jobs. The article is broken down into headings:
- Could a robot do your job?
- Thinking skills for future workers
- Mastering the new media
- Managing the information, and
- Virtual environments.
From an educator's point of view, I'm particularly interested in the link through to futurist Thomas Frey's article 55 jobs of the future where he writes:
over the coming years will see a number of industries dismantled requiring a skilled workforce of talented people who can perform this task in the least disruptive way. Most of these industries have been built around aging facilities and infrastructure that will become unnecessary and unsustainable in the future.
including:
Education System Dismantlers - details here and here and here.
Whether you agree with it or not, the importance for me lies in the growth of awareness, of understanding the world in which we are living and performing a role in preparing young people for their possible futures. I agree with David Tiffley and am reflecting on the thoughts raised to my role as a teacher librarian, as he concludes:
To position yourself favourably for the jobs of the future, become someone who can look at problems in unorthodox ways, seeing different angles and finding workable solutions.
Be a multi-disciplinary, insatiably curious person who knows how to use the tools to model ideas and create prototypes.
Possessed of an open mind and few fixed ideas about how things should be done, you nonetheless have a strong conscience and can operate outside of your comfort zone to achieve win-win outcomes. You are known for your integrity and resilience.
As always, the conversation published via comments is always worth noting.