Title: The readiness of workforce for the world of work in 2030: perceptions of university students

Authors: Bharti Pandya; Louise Patterson; Umar Ruhi

Addresses: Business Division, Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE ' HR Management, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Rask Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates ' Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, Canada

Abstract: The new world of work in 2030 will witness displacement of more than 40% of existing jobs worldwide with automation, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality and augmented reality. New set of knowledge, skills, abilities and other (KSAO) characteristics will be required to be successful within the workforce of the future. This paper presents findings from the first phase (pilot study) of an exploratory and longitudinal research project that investigated the levels of awareness, readiness, and confidence perceived by the future workforce to work in the new world dominated by AI. Empirical evidence collected from students of higher education institutions from various countries indicates that less than 50% of the participants feel they possess the necessary KSAOs for the new world of work in 2030. This study will be of value to the policymakers, strategy formulators, educators, and curriculum developers that have interest in developing the human capital for 2030.

Keywords: competencies; knowledge, skills, abilities and other; KSAO; new workplace; new workforce; work in 2030; artificial intelligence age; future competencies; readiness for future work.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2022.119555

International Journal of Business Performance Management, 2022 Vol.23 No.1/2, pp.54 - 75

Received: 07 Jun 2020
Accepted: 09 Sep 2020
Published online: 09 Dec 2021 *

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