LIST OF PANELS

Many industries are likely to be transformed due to new and emerging digital technologies. The recent challenge brought about by the unprecedented pandemic has only aggravated the situation in terms of job competitiveness, job transitions and employment in general. Continually upgrading skillsets through skills training programmes and supporting policies is thus of value to deal with disruptions to the future of work and mandates a closer investigation in terms of the design and effectiveness of these programmes.

The central question guiding this panel discussion is: What are some new and emerging models for training, skills building and employment support by policymakers and how can their effectiveness be evaluated? The panel seeks to bring policy and industry perspectives from different countries to discuss the policy implications of job disruptions in key economic sectors. It will also deliberate over existing and alternative models for training and skills building. With massive investments by governments in existing and alternative models of training, skills building, employment and re-employment, there is an urgent need to gather empirical evidence around evaluation of these schemes’ design and effectiveness.

With the accelerating digital revolution triggered by Industry 4.0, there are growing concerns internationally about the impact of technological disruption on jobs. Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, the Internet of Things and Big Data have influenced how work and tasks are completed, thus rapidly changing the nature and design of jobs. Those equipped with the right competencies are likely to take advantage of these changes for career progression while those who fail to catch up fear displacement. Efforts towards upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning have never been more important to adapt workers to new job market requirements. Younger workers face increasing vulnerability in the labour market due to an expansion in short-term, precarious work such as in the gig economy but with fewer opportunities to engage in training to support skills development for the long haul. In addition, these issues hold true for economies with ageing populations as they look to productively engage older workers

This panel focuses on ‘Evaluating policy responses to address digital disruption, industry transformations and workforce resilience’. We welcome theoretical and empirical contributions, including cross-country comparative assessments around policy responses to address digital disruption, industry transformations and workforce resilience and their evaluation.

Broad questions around which paper submissions can be anchored include:

·         What is the evidence of effectiveness of skills training programmes by specific country governments? What are the indicators of success and lessons from evaluations?

·         Do certifications from specific skills training programmes hold value for workers in staying employed or seeking re-employment?

·         Which groups are most vulnerable to job disruptions? What are some policy initiatives to support these groups?

·         What is the role of institutes of higher learning in preparing the workforce for digital transformation?

·         What role can tripartite partnerships play in anticipating the needs of an economic sector for current and future skills training, assessing the quality and relevance of training programmes and improving relevance?

·         What are some examples of effective forward-looking strategies for developing skills in a particular sector that will improve the performance of enterprises and keep the skills of workers up to date?

·         Have any training programme adaptations that arose in response to Covid-19 proven to be effective and to have potential for long-term application?

·         Besides skills training programmes, have there been other programmes that have offered other kinds of support to build workers’ resilience, adaptability to change and networking abilities? What are some successful case studies worthy of emulation?