Equipping the labour force.

 

As innovation accelerates and new technologies are used to address development challenges, the demand for employees with specialized technical skills is growing. The skill sets required for employment in modern industry are evolving quickly. Basic education in technical disciplines and in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is often the entry point for these roles. China and India currently lead in STEM education, producing over 5 million STEM graduates annually, followed by the United States and Russia. There is also a growing demand for specialized, flexible, high-level training beyond traditional formal education. Foundational skills in STEM must be translated into competencies required to operate the modern, digitalized shop floors of factories. This requires close collaboration between firms and the educational institutions, including on-the-job training, demonstrations, and opportunities for experimentation. Partnerships between universities and employers can help provide workers with specific manufacturing skills, e.g. through apprenticeship, mentoring and coaching, as well as internship programmes for students and new graduates. Human-machine interaction is another important area of development for industries of the future. As automation continues to expand, the dynamics between workers and machinery are likely to shift towards a new division of labour. With repetitive and physically demanding tasks increasingly being performed by industrial robots and other automated systems, human workers will likely shift their focus towards production supervision and troubleshooting. In some industries, such as semiconductor manufacturing, much of the workforce is already engaged in these types of activities given the high degree of automation. Workers will also need to develop proficiency in digital tools, such as manufacturing software platforms, computer-aided design (CAD), AIand production monitoring systems. The international community can play a vital role in supporting developing countries strengthen and expand their vocational training institutions by creating curricula and learning materials that address the specific skill needs offirms in specific industries. These efforts should focus on scaling up training and skills development initiatives to foster industrial development while ensuring equal access to education for women, marginalized groups and youth. To build thriving competitive industries, it is essential to implement innovative training and skills development methods. Flexible working arrangements are crucial to accommodate the growing need for remote and online work, enabling employees to communicate, access the information they need and engage in continuous lifelong learning and skill upgrading. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that tasks such as communication, planning and monitoring can also be performed from remote locations or home while other tasks still require on-site presence. Remote work can increase workforce participation among individuals who were previously excluded from traditional on-site work environments, including women with childcare responsibilities, workers located far from major industrial zones, and individuals with physical disabilities. At the same time, for remote work to become a reality, organizations must adapt their management practices and enhance collaboration with workers, alongside making greater investments in information and communication infrastructure.