Organizations have been challenged to operate remotely and accelerate their respective digital transformation journeys. Companies like Airtel, OYO, and Samsung, among others, are onboarding interns virtually. Leaders and managers are having appraisal discussions over video calls and business meetings now happen on various collaboration tools. In fact supply chain is also now being maintained with the help of blockchain technology. Tech giant IBM is leveraging its expertise with blockchain technology to help address medical supply chain shortages as the world deals with a global health crisis. 

The need for upskilling and reskilling to prepare for unprecedented change has increased. While there are some generic skills common across sectors, there is also an additional demand for niche skills in every industry. Employers and employees have to identify new market trends and the skills that will be key in the near future. Whether it is digital skills, analytical skills or other competencies that have been talk of the town for some time now, the need for skilling is heating up across the board. 

It is not news that fostering new capabilities is imperative. However, companies and nations have both been struggling to tackle this challenge. It is a long journey which requires continuous efforts of all the stakeholders, government, academic institutions, employers and employees. 

It is this dilemma that Perspectives 2020 aims to address. On 13 May, join the head to head debate on ‘Who owns skilling’ between industry leaders Arvind Gupta, Co-Founder and Head, Digital India Foundation and Aruna Jayanthi, MD, APAC and Latin America Business Unit, Capgemini. The discussion will be moderated by Ajay Soni, Chief Learning and Leadership Development Officer, Aditya Birla Group. 

But before you go ahead and learn more about their perspectives, here’s a sneak-peek into the various roles each stakeholder plays in building a future ready workforce:

The government

The responsibility to create an ecosystem that recognizes education, training, and lifelong learning is borne by the government or the concerned national body. They have to drive the skilling agenda at the national level. They have to make changes in policies that impact the decisions of academic institutions, schools and colleges. It is crucial for federal parties to emphasize the need to focus on relevant skills, encourage more practical knowledge and promote the culture of innovative learning methods. The government also has to make the investment in creating and curating courses, arranging relevant faculties and establishing more institutions as per the requirements of the job market.

Industries & companies 

In order for governments to design relevant educational policies, industrial bodies and companies have to work with them to provide critical industry insights. The government’s policies will be effective when they are aligned with sectoral skills strategies and tuned in to match respective skill requirements. Industries’ participation is needed to allow the job seekers to learn on the job and learn by doing. With the companies also being involved in the overall skill development, the workforce can be more job ready. 

Employees

The efforts of creating relevant policies, innovative learning solutions and establishing learning centers will go to waste if the employees themselves are not willing to learn. They not only have to make most of these opportunities, but also have to drive their own personal growth. The workforce have to take ownership of their own career growth and development and if need be then even bring to notice the importance of skilling in certain areas which their company or the government might have missed upon. 

To conquer the battle of talent crunch or skill shortage, all the stakeholders in the world of work have to unite and work together. 

Learn more about the theme by joining the head to head debate on 13th May at Perspectives 2020, a digital learning experience, brought to you by Skillsoft and SumTotal. Click here to register