It’s no secret that the “Age of Automation” is not just on its way; it’s here. The World Economic Forum recently estimated that 1.4 million people will lose their jobs by 2026 as a result of technological change, with more than 70% of those job losses happening because the job type will cease to exist. Rural regions are also expected to be disproportionately affected, according to a new McKinsey Global Institute report.
Reskilling Workers Is a Central Part of Corporate Social Responsibility
The World Economic Forum recently estimated that 1.4 million people will lose their jobs by 2026 as a result of technological change, with more than 70% of those job losses happening because the job type will cease to exist. Rural regions are also expected to be disproportionately affected. As statistics like these tell the story of the challenges facing us, executives, researchers, and politicians alike are grappling with the question of not only how to prepare the future labor force for this disruption, but also who should own the solution. The power to create immediate change and impact lies with corporations. Companies already implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs to give back to their communities and make a positive impact. They should now use these initiatives to join the fight against economic disparity and inequality to safeguard the future labor force. It is both a moral and an economic imperative, and the future of the workforce depends upon it.