SALT Voices: Nancy W. Gleason, PhD | Director, Hilary Ballon Center for Excellence, NYU Abu Dhabi

TL;DR

Panelists discuss the future of work, emphasizing the need for reskilling and adapting to automation and the gig economy.

Transcript

this is Natasha the Sousa reporting for salt voices and I'm here at the inaugural salt abu-dhabi with Professor a nancy Gleeson the assistant professor of practice and director at the Hillary balance Center at NYU Abu Dhabi welcome to salt Abu Dhabi Nancy thank you thank you for being with us today you are in a panel today dissecting the future of ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 Education technology platforms and adult driver schools play a crucial role in reskilling workers facing job changes due to automation and technological advancements.
• 🧑‍💼 The gig economy is reshaping the traditional concept of the office space, with more emphasis on flexible and activity-specific work environments.
• 👶 Automation presents opportunities for new industries and products to occupy people's free time, potentially creating new jobs.
• ❓ Understanding one's own competencies and problem-solving abilities is essential for success in the evolving workforce.
• 🍰 Companies must invest in their employees to keep them relevant for current and future job roles, despite the likelihood of shorter job tenures.
• 🎓 Industry plays a significant role in filling gaps in education by offering corporate and professional education programs.
• 📣 Blended learning and reskilling initiatives are being implemented by companies and organizations to upskill employees and address talent gaps.

Questions & Answers

Q: How are panelists addressing the challenges of reskilling workers in a technology-driven workforce?

Panelists discussed investing in education technology platforms and adult driver schools to help reskill workers whose jobs are changing due to automation. Scalability and quality were identified as key challenges in implementing these solutions.

Q: How is the concept of the office and workspace changing in the gig economy?

The gig economy is shifting the way people work, with more individuals wanting to work from home or wherever they are. Flexible brick-and-mortar spaces are becoming more associated with specific activities, such as learning, rather than traditional cubicle layouts.

Q: With automation resulting in less working time, what opportunities are there for new industries and products?

The automation boom presents opportunities for new industries to develop products that can occupy people's free time. This could lead to the creation of new jobs and the need for different skill sets.

Q: What is the difference between competencies, skills, and disciplines in the changing workforce?

While disciplines like history or chemistry still matter, the ability to associate knowledge from different disciplines and transfer skills is becoming more valuable. Metacognitive awareness and understanding personal strengths and problem-solving abilities are crucial in being effective in the changing workplace.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Panelists at the Salt Abu Dhabi conference discussed the importance of investing in education technology to reskill workers and prepare students for a changing workforce.

• The gig economy is expected to continue growing, leading to a shift in the way people view and engage with the workplace.

• Automation will result in less time spent working, creating opportunities for new industries and products to occupy free time.