Change happens fast in the world of work driven by developments in social, economic and technology domains. Flexibility, creativity and responsiveness to change are fast changing the shape of social and economic sectors in Asia. Keeping up with this pace of change is a continuing challenge for progressive and learning societies which increasingly demand policies and strategies to resolve the complex social, environmental and economic challenges. This will need a diverse range of skilled and empowered human resources equipped with the vision needed for nation building initiatives.

The work force of the next decade will need and demand higher levels of multidisciplinary conceptual, analytical and planning skills than in the past. To be able to achieve these qualities, the future work force will need knowledge inputs which would directly or indirectly catalyze specific occupational expertise.

Future societies will need new models of skills training which combine school/institution-based training with enterprise based practical training and theoretical school-based education. It will demand newer skills development and capacity building inputs to resolve the evolving complexities of modern societies. This will need action-oriented and development based training models for each sector of the economy.

Today’s knowledge economy demands that school and college education to provide a platform for lifelong learning. Future enterprises will demand highly skilled and educated workers with a conceptual understanding of complex and evolving concepts; ability to develop new ideas, theories and knowledge; ability to assess what they read; articulate verbally and in writing; ability to understand ideas across disciplines; and critique and evolve their own life-long learning.

The answers to many of the emerging economic and social complexities lies in the capacity of the local people and the institutions to generate new skills to suit local needs and circumstances. The gulf between the world of learning and the world of work is very wide. To keep training relevant, institutions must build effective bridges between the world of learning and the world of work.

We seek to engage with all the stakeholders involved in skills development and capacity building to build a future workforce equipped with the right skill sets needed for nation building initiatives.

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