The Future of Work: Preparing for Disruption from edX

Workers of the future will need new sets of skills to compete. Recent advances in technology are changing how we live, communicate and do business, disrupting traditional industries and redefining the employee-employer relationship.

Thousands of routine and low-skill jobs will be eliminated by automation, A.I. and digital hyper-connectivity. However, these same advances present new opportunities, like:

New job creation
Increased productivity
Improved delivery of public services

This course emphasizes the urgency of developing human capital in meeting the challenges of the coming decades. Developing countries will need to take rapid action to invest in their people as innovation continues to accelerate. Themes in the course include: artificial intelligence, the gig economy, world of work, the future of work, labor market, policy makers, new technologies, digital economy, jobs of the future, machine learning, and labor force.

Skills-based example: Participants will learn through Ted-like talks, podcasts, readings, interactive quizzes and scenario based exercises. They will also have an opportunity to share and dialogue with peers and experts including practitioners, government officials, academic and private sector. This course will introduce students to forward-thinking approaches that will build the new skill sets required in the 21st Century, including:

critical analysis
problem solving
“soft skills” like teamwork and empathy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Factors behind the changing nature of work
Which new sets of skills required for future workforces
Human capital index and its methodology

Social assistance programs and insurance schemes
Policy measures available to governments

Factors behind the changing nature of work
Which new sets of skills required for future workforces
Human capital index and its methodology
Social assistance programs and insurance schemes
Policy measures available to governments

Syllabus

Week 1 - Changing Nature of WorkThis module focuses on understanding the factors at play in the changing nature of work. It introduces participants to new technologies that are transforming day-to-day life, new types of automation, and new types of businesses, including firms that operate through digital platforms that enable them to scale rapidly without vertically integrating. It will show how the demand for low-skilled labor is decreasing as Artificial Intelligence and new production methods take root. Learners will be able to describe and discuss the main issues and challenges that workers of today face.

Week 2 – Human Capital: A New FrameworkThis module introduces the World Bank’s new human capital index, highlighting the links between investments in health and education and the productivity of future workers. Making the most of this evolving economic opportunity will depend on prioritizing the development of individual capacity. This module emphasizes the importance of building skills that are increasingly important in labor markets while also exploring the dangers of leaving workers in informal sectors.

Week 3 – Lifelong Learning: From Birth to RetirementThis module highlights the fact that despite historically low poverty rates and growing life expectancies, the dangers that remain, especially to children under 5, pose a significant risk to development. Poor health care and nutrition at this critical stage of child development, especially during the “first 1000 days” from conception, lead to decreased cognitive function that last into adulthood. Subpar primary schools often don’t ensure basic literacy. Youth employment programs fail to effectively prepare young people transitioning into the workforce. This module explores programs from pre-natal care to youth employment.

Week 4 – Returns to Work & Social ProtectionSkills development does not end in school. Module 4 is examines those new required skills that will necessitate a lifelong approach to learning for today’s workers. Innovative pedagogy, technology platforms and linkages between industry and schools are enabling developing countries to train huge numbers of workers, including older ones, in new capabilities. The module also demonstrates how productivity gains can be made by advancing three priority areas: decreasing informality in the economy, removing blockages to women in the workplace and enhancing training for Agricultural workers. This module looks in-depth at social programs that address these ends.

Week 5 – Investing in Social InclusionThis final module focuses on the new social contracts required to provide for larger investments in human capital and more universal social protection programs. It discusses several new ways of protecting people, including: a societal minimum that provides support independent of employment; expanding overall coverage that prioritizes the neediest people in society; placing community health workers on the government’s payroll; a universal basic income; enhanced social assistance and insurance systems that reduce the burden of risk management on labor regulation. The module ends by illustrating methods for financing such programs.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the essence of emerging economic opportunities by prioritizing the development of individual capacity in a digital economy

Introduces and utilizes the new Human Capital Index for pedagogical purposes

Provides a list of examples for social programs that protect people in new ways

Explores how productivity gains can be made by advancing three priority areas: decreasing informality in the economy, removing blockages to women in the workplace, and enhancing training for Agricultural workers

Explores the dangers that remain for children under 5 who pose a significant risk to development

Assumes that students are familiar with the Human Capital Index

Reviews summary

Preparing for a digital future

learners say this course on the Future of Work is largely positive with engaging assignments and speakers. Key takeaways are: * Invest in Human capital * Early childcare education * Barriers around gender and race can be broken * Automation brings new jobs as well as the elimination of others * Workers need to update their skills as technology changes to remain competitive

Human capital is seen as the solution to meeting the demands of future work. This means investing in early childhood education, lifelong learning, and closing the gender and race gaps in the workforce.

"Human capital is the key to the return of growth which requires an early investment from early childhood."

"I learned a lot of new things and how the job sector would be in the future. I learned about the ways we can be ready for the technological disruption"

Automation will have a significant impact on the future of work. It will eliminate some jobs but also create new ones. Workers need to be prepared for these changes and update their skills to stay relevant.

"Automation and innovation are fact of modern era which can't be denied."

"I have been using the course materials in my research on the promotion of informal sectors to participate in the public procurement."

"It gave me a wider perspective on some societal issues that I was not aware of before."

Lifelong learning is essential for workers to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in the future workforce. This course emphasizes the importance of acquiring new skills and knowledge throughout one's career.

"The problem is that people should keep in mind that Artificial Intelligence is not going to replace human but new skills should be developed in order to avoid to be left behind."

"There will be demand for human labor, but workers everywhere will need to rethink traditional notions of where they work, how they work, and what talents and capabilities they bring to that work."

"I am more conscious about the skills that would be needed in the future of work and I have started to take steps to acquire the skills."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Future of Work: Preparing for Disruption with these activities:

Review the Concept of Labor Market

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Refreshes your knowledge of the fundamental concepts of labor markets, which will be built upon throughout the course.

Browse courses on Labor Markets

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Identify the main factors influencing labor demand and supply.
Define and explain the concept of equilibrium in the labor market.

Explore the World Bank's Human Capital Index

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the Human Capital Index, which will be a key framework used in the course.

Browse courses on Human Capital

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Access the World Bank's website and locate the Human Capital Index.
Read the overview and methodology sections of the index.
Explore the interactive data visualizations and compare different countries' scores.

Analyze Case Studies of Labor Market Policies

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Develops your ability to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of labor market policies, which will be discussed in the course.

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Read case studies of labor market policies implemented in different countries.
Identify the objectives, design, and implementation of each policy.
Evaluate the impact of the policies on labor market outcomes, such as employment, wages, and productivity.

Four other activities

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Become a Mentor in a Local Youth Development Program

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Allows you to share your knowledge and skills with young people, while also reinforcing your own understanding of the course concepts.

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Contact local youth development organizations and express your interest in becoming a mentor.
Complete any necessary training or background checks.
Meet with your mentee regularly and provide guidance and support.

Contribute to the Open Development Data Platform

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Enhances your technical skills and contributes to the global development community by making labor market data more accessible.

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Create an account on the Open Development Data Platform.
Find a dataset related to labor markets that you are interested in.
Clean and analyze the data, and publish your findings on the platform.

Develop a Policy Proposal for Improving Labor Market Outcomes

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Synthesizes your learning by requiring you to develop a comprehensive policy proposal for improving labor market outcomes in a specific country or region.

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Identify a specific labor market issue in a country or region of your choice.
Research and analyze the underlying causes of the issue.
Develop a policy proposal that addresses the issue, including specific recommendations for implementation.

Participate in the World Bank's Human Capital Innovation Challenge

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Provides you with an opportunity to apply your learning and make a real-world impact by developing innovative solutions to human capital challenges.

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Form a team and register for the World Bank's Human Capital Innovation Challenge.
Identify a specific human capital challenge you want to address.
Develop a creative and innovative solution to the challenge.

Career center

Learners who complete The Future of Work: Preparing for Disruption will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Scientist

Data scientists use their skills in mathematics, statistics, and computer science to extract insights from data. This course can help data scientists develop the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market, which is increasingly data-driven.

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Management Consultant

Management consultants help organizations improve their performance by identifying and solving problems. This course can help management consultants understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to help organizations adapt to these changes.

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Project Manager

Project managers oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of projects. This course can help project managers understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to help organizations develop and implement projects that will help workers adapt to these changes.

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Business Analyst

Business analysts help organizations improve their performance by identifying and solving problems. This course can help business analysts understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to help organizations adapt to these changes.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts use their skills in mathematics and statistics to solve problems in a variety of industries. This course can help operations research analysts understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market.

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers oversee the human resources function of an organization. This course can help human resources managers understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to help organizations attract, develop, and retain talented employees.

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Program Manager

Program managers oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs. This course can help program managers understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to help organizations develop and implement programs that will help workers adapt to these changes.

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Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use their knowledge of finance to analyze and forecast financial trends. This course can help financial analysts understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market.

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Social Worker

Social workers help people overcome social and economic problems. This course can help social workers understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to help people adapt to these changes.

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Risk Manager

Risk managers identify and manage risks for an organization. This course can help risk managers understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to help organizations mitigate risks.

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Policy Analyst

Policy analysts use their skills in research and analysis to develop and evaluate public policy. This course can help policy analysts understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to develop policies that will help workers adapt to these changes.

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Economist

Economists use their knowledge of economics to analyze and forecast economic trends. This course can help economists understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market.

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Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts use their skills in research and analysis to understand consumer behavior and market trends. This course can help market research analysts understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market.

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Public relations manager

Public relations managers oversee the public relations function of an organization. This course can help public relations managers understand the factors that are driving the changing nature of work and develop the skills they need to help organizations communicate with their stakeholders effectively.

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Actuary

Actuaries use their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess risk and uncertainty. This course can help actuaries stay up-to-date on the latest trends in technology and the changing nature of work. It can also help them develop the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market.

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