The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently released their latest Future of Jobs report, which identifies trends across 20 economies in 12 industry sectors.
The report suggests that between 2018 and 2022, 75 million current job roles may be displaced by machines and algorithms. But 133 million new jobs will likely emerge during that same period.
And these emerging jobs will require a new set of skills. In fact, by 2022, 42% of required workplace skills will have changed, the report predicts.
The emerging jobs for 2022 include roles based on technological innovation, like software and applications developers, and roles requiring distinctly “human” traits, like sales professionals. Not surprisingly, these jobs will require both various forms of technological competency, like programming and systems analysis, and distinctly “human” skills, like emotional intelligence, creativity, and critical thinking.
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According to the report, here are the top 10 emerging skills for 2022:
- Analytical thinking and innovation
- Active learning and learning strategies
- Creativity, originality, and initiative
- Technology design and programming
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Complex problem-solving
- Leadership and social influence
- Emotional intelligence
- Reasoning, problem-solving
- Systems analysis andevaluation
And here are the top 10 declining skills for 2022:
- Manual dexterity, endurance, and precision
- Memory, verbal, auditory, and spatial abilities
- Management of financial, material resources
- Technology installation and maintenance
- Reading, writing, math, and active listening
- Management of personnel
- Quality control and safety awareness
- Coordination and time management
- Visual, auditory, and speech abilities
- Technology use, monitoring, and control
The report suggests that before 2022, employees will need roughly 101 days of retraining and upskilling. And because the half-life of a professional skill is just five years, employees will need to become lifelong learners to remain competitive in the workplace, according to previous research by the WEF.
“To prevent an undesirable lose-lose scenario—technological change accompanied by talent shortages, mass unemployment, and growing inequality—it is critical that businesses take an active role in supporting their existing workforces through reskilling and upskilling,” the report states (Ratcheva/Leopold, World Economic Forum, 9/17; Perry, The Oregonian, 9/18).
