The world is going through a technological revolution, with technology replacing human tasks and changing the skills organisations need. These skills do not only include digital skills but also socio-emotional skills such as resilience, creative thinking and problem-solving. Additionally, a top concern for organisations across Malta, and also globally, is the availability of talent. Workforce shortages have hit virtually every industry to one extent or another, highlighting the need for upskilling existing workers.
The modern business world is changing, and the new emerging technologies, such as automation, are doing three things: creating brand new roles, adapting roles to suit this new environment, and removing roles that are no longer required. This is leading to increasing disparity and is disrupting jobs and businesses.
The shift to a green economy is being driven by government policy, climate change, and technologies which when combined, require organisations to operate differently and fuel the consumer market for green products and services. Inevitably, this shift increases the demand for employees to be reskilled or upskilled to deliver business sustainability strategies.
Upskilling initiatives should therefore not only focus on technical literacy but look at what human skills are required in today’s digital age and the needs of the green economy. Upskilling and reskilling are therefore critical initiatives which need to be addressed.
PwC is committed to highlighting the issues surrounding the digital divide and the socio-economic benefits of greater private-public collaboration on upskilling and reskilling. There’s a lot more to do to create more diverse, inclusive, and productive workplaces that allow everyone to give their best.
PwC is leading the way in terms of bringing the topic of Upskilling to the agenda of businesses, educational institutions and policymakers.
Throughout the last year, we have therefore continued engaging with different stakeholders in Malta including Government, businesses and social partners to encourage a call for action in relation to upskilling and reskilling. We have also issued thought leadership through the form of articles and delivered upskilling programmes to a variety of private and public entities. We also continue to support private and public sector organisations in developing Competency Frameworks which are aligned with the skills needed in this increasingly digital and complex world.
