When you think of the future you may think of self-driving cars, ground-breaking medical advancements, or robots and artificial intelligence. Recently, educators have been discussing the ways in which to best equip students with the skills needed to thrive in this modern society – both in school and beyond. In the last few years alone, there has been a complete shift in job prospects. When this year’s cohort of Kindergarten students graduate in 2035, it can be assumed that they will enter into a workforce full of jobs that don’t even exist yet.
Generation Z were born between 1995 and 2009 and they have grown up wholly in the digital era. So much so that they have been significantly socialised by screen-based devices. Not only has the digital world shifted the focus of Gen Z, but the economy and workforce have been radically transformed by current technology in the last two decades – job interviews and meetings are now held over Zoom, for example.
One study found that 54% of Gen Z believe their first job will come through digital and social connections. Take LinkedIn for example – a platform widely used by prospective employers and employees where you can apply, interview and accept a job without ever meeting an employer in person!
As our world then continues to immerse itself into what has been dubbed as the ‘Metaverse’, we will likely continue to experience a spike in e-commerce, digital marketing and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Coding, design and statistical literacy will all be sought-after skills in a technology-driven workforce. Other emerging trends observed as core skills for the future workplace include: a focus on collaboration, data skills, and creative and innovative thinking. We can expect to see an increase in ‘niche’ job industries to meet new or growing areas, such as climate change and environmental issues.
What does this mean for current students? While its nearly impossible to predict the future and the workforce landscape, there are certain skills that will need to be retained that can’t be provided by robots or AI. ‘Soft skills’ such as emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, communication skills, critical thinking and even friendliness will always be required. As schools broaden their curriculum to include these skills, we will see an increase in students regularly working in groups and adopting a focus on student-led learning to best prepare them for the workplace. With an increase in companies adopting a ‘Work From Home’ culture, students will need to be equipped with the autonomy to effectively work alone, as well as collaboratively within a workplace environment.
Our students will bring a fresh perspective to the world of work. By utilising their tech-savviness, thanks to the technology they use daily, we can create a collaborative classroom environment in which they can anaylse and problem solve. Furthermore, we can teach them to be life-long learners, to be creators, and express themselves authentically. We look forward to seeing the difference they make in the world!
At Living Waters Lutheran College, our Careers Department is available to our upper and lower secondary years. The department’s main focus is to ensure that the young adults of our College are exposed to the many options available to them as they contemplate their future and life after school. The College endeavours to provide our students with the foundational skills needed for this important transition. If you are interested in finding out more about how our College builds bright futures, please call us on 08 9593 1211 or visit the Careers Department on our website to learn about the many initiatives facilitated by the department.
