The Skills Revolution and the Future of Learning and Earning
- Millions of workers globally will need to change occupations as automation is increasingly deployed.
- Demand will grow for social and emotional skills, higher-level cognitive skills, and both basic and advanced digital skills.
- Bold and frequent upskilling can expand earning opportunities.
As companies and organizations in all sectors deploy new technologies—including automation and artificial intelligence ensuring this evolution fosters shared, sustainable prosperity will likely hinge on how well societies prepare the workforces of tomorrow.
Private- and public-sector leaders have a critical role to play in helping to create family-sustaining jobs, close skills gaps, and ensure tech-fueled growth leaves no one behind. Drawing from McKinsey research, the report examines trends across the major stages of education, from early childhood to lifelong learning, with a particular focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It highlights the importance of focusing on skills development at all educational stages and examines how new technologies and approaches can help both students entering the workforce and workers to succeed. This report explores eight key findings, among the myriad factors shaping the future of education.