The fourth industrial revolution, digitalization, and the Covid-19 pandemic have led to significant changes in work style, work environment, and the technologies used. These changes have accelerated structural changes in existing professions and the workforce, initiating a transformation in the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for jobs. The changes and transformations have expanded and differentiated skill areas. It is expected to affect millions of workers globally, with a predicted 42% change in required skills between 2018 and 2022, resulting in fundamental differences in job profiles.
This impact has resulted in the need for developing the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the workforce. Skills reduction programs have been developed to reduce skills gaps, including programs aimed at reskilling the workforce, developing current skills, and ensuring lifelong learning participation by the workforce. These programs include various activities such as education and vocational training programs, internships, and various certification programs.
Looking at Turkey, it is predicted that by 2030, automation and digitalization could eliminate 7.6 million jobs and create 8.9 million new jobs, resulting in a net increase of 1.3 million jobs. It is also expected that 1.8 million new jobs can be created in technology-related sectors. This change will require the 21.1 million people in the Turkish workforce to continue working in their current jobs while improving their skills by using technology. To compete with developed countries, the Turkish workforce needs to acquire new skills and reach a higher level of education by 2030.
Therefore, Turkey has joined the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2020 Jobs Summit Skills Acceleration Program to reduce the skills gap. The program aims to identify the skills and competencies required to perform future jobs and to develop educational, employment, and sectoral policies to meet these needs in line with technological developments. This will increase workforce productivity and contribute to economic growth.
[1] ILO (2021) “Shaping Skills and Lifelong Learning for the Future of Work” [2] McKinsey&TİSK (2020) “Future of Work in Turkey”