The workforce of tomorrow will be vastly different from what we see today. With advancements in technology, changing demographics, and shifting workplace dynamics, state and local governments must develop a plan to ensure their workforce can adapt and thrive in the future. In this blog, we will discuss about an action plan for state and local governments to prepare for the workforce of tomorrow.

Assess Current Workforce

The first step in preparing for the workforce of tomorrow is to assess the current workforce. Governments must identify the skills, knowledge, and abilities of their current employees and determine which will be necessary in the future. This assessment will help governments identify any gaps in their workforce and develop a plan to fill those gaps.

Identify Future Skills

The next step is to identify the skills that will be necessary in the workforce of tomorrow. As technology continues to advance, there will be more demand for workers with skills in data analysis, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies. Governments must also consider the soft skills that will be necessary, such as critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.

Develop Training Programs

Once the necessary skills have been identified, governments must develop training programs to ensure their workforce is prepared for the future. This may involve partnering with local universities or vocational schools to provide training on emerging technologies. It may also involve providing ongoing training to current employees to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest skills and technologies.

Embrace Remote Work

Due to the pandemic, the trend of remote work has increased rapidly, and it is expected that this trend will continue in the future as well. Governments must embrace remote work and provide the necessary infrastructure to support it. This may include investing in technology to facilitate remote collaboration and communication, as well as providing training on how to work effectively in a remote environment.

Promote Diversity and Inclusion

As demographics continue to shift, it is essential that governments promote diversity and inclusion in their workforce. This includes not only ethnic and racial diversity but also diversity in terms of gender, age, and background. Governments must create an inclusive culture that values and respects all employees, regardless of their differences.

Invest in Employee Wellness

The workforce of tomorrow will face increasing levels of stress and burnout. To ensure their workforce is healthy and productive, governments must invest in employee wellness programs. This may include providing access to mental health services, promoting healthy lifestyles, and creating a work environment that prioritizes work-life balance.

Encourage Lifelong Learning

In the past, education was viewed as something that was completed in the early years of life. However, the workforce of tomorrow will require ongoing learning and development. Governments must encourage lifelong learning by providing access to educational resources and promoting a culture of continuous learning.

Certainly, here are some relevant analytics statistics to support the importance of preparing for the workforce of tomorrow:

1. As per the World Economic Forum, by 2025, 50% of all employees will need reskilling.
2. A survey by PwC found that 77% of CEOs are concerned that a lack of key skills in their workforce could hinder their company’s growth prospects.
3. The BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) predicts that employment in occupations related to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) will grow by 8.8% between 2019 and 2029.
4. A study by McKinsey & Company found that companies with a diverse workforce have a 35% higher probability of achieving financial returns above the national industry medians.
5. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, 61% of employees reported experiencing burnout, and of those, 63% said that their employer failed to provide enough support to help them manage it.

The above figures emphasize the significance of proactively preparing for the workforce of the future and the necessity for state and local governments to take measures to equip their workforce with essential skills and resources to succeed in the evolving job market.

Conclusion

Preparing for the workforce of tomorrow requires a comprehensive action plan that addresses the changing nature of work and the workforce. State and local governments must assess their current workforce, identify the necessary skills for the future, develop training programs, embrace remote work, promote diversity and inclusion, invest in employee wellness, and encourage lifelong learning. By taking these steps, governments can ensure their workforce is prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.