Press Conference: 1 Million Workers Targeted in Tech Reskilling Drive

TL;DR

Global tech companies come together to launch a reskilling platform, aimed at providing individuals with the opportunity to assess their skills and access educational content to thrive in a technology-driven future.

Transcript

welcome ladies and gentlemen in the room and on livestream to the reefs killing the workforce for a digital future on this very sunny day in Davos at the 48th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum I'm joined today by Chuck Robbins chairman and CEO of Cisco Cheryl Martin managing director and head of industries at the World Economic Forum Mike ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍💻 The reskilling initiative is a collaborative effort by global tech companies to address the impact of technology on jobs and offer educational resources for individuals to thrive in a changing workforce.
• 🙈 The World Economic Forum is supportive of the initiative, seeing it as a way to empower individuals and create a more inclusive future.
• 🧡 Lifelong learning is crucial in adapting to a technology-driven future, and the reskilling platform offers a wide range of skills to cater to different interests and career paths.
• 🔒 Public-private partnerships and collaborations with governments can further enhance the reach and impact of reskilling efforts.
• 😀 The reskilling initiative can be particularly beneficial for young people, who may face challenges in accessing employment opportunities and can benefit from targeted skill development programs.
• 🌐 The reskilling platform aims to address global skill gaps and connect individuals with job opportunities across different regions.
• 💦 Collaboration and trust among tech companies in this initiative highlight the potential for the industry to work together and leverage their resources for the betterment of society.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the reskilling platform work?

The reskilling platform allows individuals to assess their skills and offers educational content in various subjects, not limited to coding. It provides resources for technical and business skills, allowing individuals to develop or refocus their skills based on their interests.

Q: How many people do the tech companies aim to attract with this initiative?

The target number of people to be attracted by the reskilling initiative is not specified, but with companies like Cisco aiming to train millions of people, the goal is to reach as many individuals as possible.

Q: Will there be regulations to support the reskilling efforts?

The tech companies believe that a free market approach is sufficient to reach uninitiated individuals and that providing opportunities for reskilling is a human right. They do, however, emphasize the importance of public-private partnerships and are open to collaboration with governments to increase awareness and reach out to more people.

Q: How can the reskilling initiative benefit young people?

Initiatives like the reskilling platform can provide opportunities for young people, especially those facing high youth unemployment rates. By certifying their skills and aligning those certifications with HR systems, more young people can be integrated into the workforce, both in full-time and temporary employment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Cisco CEO, Chuck Robbins, explains that the reskilling initiative was born out of the recognition that technology will both permeate and dislocate jobs in the future, leading to the need for a collaborative effort by tech companies to create a platform for reskilling.

• Cheryl Martin from the World Economic Forum highlights the importance of the initiative in realizing the forum's goal of creating a shared future, empowering individuals in the face of the fourth Industrial Revolution.

• Mike Gregoire, chairman of the IT Governor's Council, emphasizes the need for lifelong learning and emphasizes the versatility of the reskilling platform in offering a wide range of skills beyond coding.