It is difficult to predict with certainty what vocational training will be like in 2030, but it is possible to make projections based on current trends and ongoing technological advances. This article is therefore an exploration of this crucial subject, a major challenge for HR and the entire future of work.
The main challenges of vocational training and the transformations of the labour market
The job market and the world of work are constantly changing, and with them, the skills needed to succeed. Vocational training is no longer an option, but a necessity to remain competitive on the job market.
Technologies are evolving rapidly, tools are multiplying, and the expectations of employees, customers and partners are increasing every day. Faced with this reality, professionals must learn constantly, updating their knowledge and developing new skills. But how can we imagine the future of vocational training? How to meet the needs of individuals while anticipating future labour market challenges?
According to a recent LinkedIn study, 90% of employees want to train themselves!
And each employee has different needs and learning styles. The personalized approach allows learners to work at their own pace and focus on the skills they need.
We are no longer in the 2000s, where training consisted of PowerPoint slides. Today, we have interactive tools that adapt to each individual. But make no mistake, it's not about turning learning into a video game, it's about focusing on the user experience and making it even more engaging.
This is also why the gamification of learning is becoming more and more common. At the same time, e-learning and the use of technology continue to develop, offering advantages such as geographic flexibility and the speed of information dissemination. Learners can have access to online courses, webinars, podcasts, etc., which are designed to be interactive and to engage learners in the learning process.
With the rise of Social Learning, training platforms make it possible to highlight collaboration and interaction, two aspects that are crucial for effective learning. Collaboration tools and sharing features allow learners to work together on projects, share knowledge, and support each other. Interaction creates a dynamic where learners can ask questions, receive feedback and advice, and learn from other participants and instructors. Exchanges between learners, instructors, and peers are at the heart of social learning.
The future of vocational training and the labour market of 2030
Automation and AI in tomorrow's vocational training
Automation and AI will soon rule the world of work, and that can make even the least prepared candidates shudder. But don't panic, it's in advance!
Technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and blockchain, will continue to transform vocational training. Benefit to those who know how these technologies work and how they can be used to optimize work processes.
Thanks to these technological innovations, learners will be able to benefit from training always more personalized, interactive and immersive. Face-to-face training will be less frequent, as it will be replaced by online distance learning and virtual 3D simulations that allow for realistic professional experiences in complete safety.
Soft skills and interpersonal communication, the most popular skills for the jobs of tomorrow
The demand for skills related to information technology, sustainability and innovation is expected to increase, which will lead to increased specialization in these areas.
The ongoing digital transformation in many sectors will in fact require ever greater skills in information technology to design, develop and maintain computer systems and software.
Skills in sustainable development, renewable energy, waste management and carbon footprint reduction will also be increasingly important.
Finally, innovation is - and will remain - a key factor in economic growth and competitiveness. Innovation and creativity skills will therefore be essential for developing new products and services, for improving existing processes and for imagining new opportunities.
Technical skills will no longer be enough to guarantee employability. And not all skills will be automated (thankfully!).
You will have to add the said Soft Skills, essential for communicating, collaborating and adapting to change.
La interpersonal communication will continue to grow in importance and future vocational training will not be able to be satisfied with purely technical training. New subjects related to communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity will be introduced.
We will need emotional and behavioral abilities solid to adapt to this new era!
Continuing learning
Finally, lifelong learning will become a norm as workers adapt to rapidly changing technologies and labour market needs. The training will become a continuous and integrated practice in the daily life of the employee, with short and regular training courses, accessible anytime and anywhere.
Let us therefore hope that by 2030, vocational training will be fully integrated into the company's overall strategy. It will no longer be considered as an ancillary support function but as a key element in employee engagement and the optimization of the payroll by 2030. There will be no end to learning.
