Lifelong Learning: a European answer to digitization? (abril 2017 - eapm)

 

Lifelong Learning: a European answer to digitization? (artigo pela APG para EAPM)

By Etelberto Costa¹

Could a robot do your job? Increasingly the answer seems to be ‘yes’. The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs (2016) study predicts that 5 million jobs will be lost before 2020 as Industry 4.0 (artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology etc.) replace the need for human workers. Whilst some sectors are more at risk; e.g.Manufacturing, consensus seems to be emerging that no sector is immune. The WEF and the ILO cite a study known as the ‘Bruegel calculations’. One part of this predicts the proportion of jobs vulnerable to computerization and automation in the EU.

Source: World Economic Forum, 2016; https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/what-happens-when-robots-take-our-jobs/

The same source is used by the Industrial European Trade Union to suggest that on average something like 54% of EU jobs may be vulnerable.

Such figures will be alarming to some. The concern is exacerbated by uncertainty as to how best to respond. What will be the demands as regards skills across various sectors of the labor market? Will huge swathes of the current and future labor force find themselves jobless? In such a world two things are certain. One is that disruption is inevitable. Disruption will not only affect the workplace, but all aspects of life (driverless cars, social media etc.). The second is the imperative of lifelong learning.

The European Union’s (EU) Lifelong Learning Program (LLP) was initiated in 2007 and was designed to enable people, at any stage of their life, to take part in stimulating learning experiences, as well as developing education and training across Europe. With a budget of nearly €7 billion, the program, which ran from 2007-2013, funded a range of exchanges, study visits, and networking activities. Whilst the activities of the LLP are continuing under the new Erasmus program (http://www.erasmusprogramme.com/ ) questions, might be asked as to the priority being accorded Lifelong Learning within EU policy and practice. CEDEFOP supports development of lifelong learning strategies in Europe and the Member States. The Centre monitors and reviews trends and policy developments that are related to lifelong learning.. CEDEFOP’s web site reveal several initiatives under the banner of Lifelong Learning; for example, in relation to reviewing adult learning trends and policy developments; preparing country reviews on apprenticeships, assessing the benefits of vocational education training and reviewing European and national strategies that aim to keep young people in education and training. But do many lack a vision in respect of lifelong learning in the rapidly changing world of digitization ? Perhaps they are not entirely fit for purpose in relation to the new challenges?

A key question is “to what extent should the focus of any nation’s Human Resource Development policy be on lifelong learning?’ Some commentators think so. For example, Palmer writing in the Economist (date) argues there is an “economic imperative” to find ways of connecting education and employment in new ways and argues the need to re-visit some of the pillars of the formal systems of education and training, including vocational training and college degrees. Similarly, Vishal Sikka writing in the Financial Times (January, 2017) argues that changing how we view education is “essential” if we are to achieve the best from the new industrial revolutions. He advocates innovative approaches to education and training, curriculum modernization and specifically in relation to organizations he argues they need “to make lifelong learning resources available for employees to enhance skills development”. Indeed, he goes as far as to suggest all organizations should be required to dedicate a percentage of their annual revenue to lifelong learning amongst their workforces.

The 2017 World Economic Forum White Paper offers the prospect of new thinking and the revitalization of Lifelong Learning. One of 8 areas for action to guide policy makers in the context of the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”, the WEF advocate a “new deal” on lifelong learning. Here is some of what they say:

So, does the EU need a ‘new deal’ on lifelong learning? Thess and related questions are high on the agenda of the APG under the umbrella theme of “People Management in a Digital World”. We are convinced lifelong learning holds the key to a successful societal response the disruption likely to be caused by digitization in the workplace and in society more widely.

1Elberto Costa is a former APG Vice-President