Careers: The 100 year life
The 100 year life
In the second session of Year 11 Careers Programme that we will start next week, we will be looking at what work will look like in the future. The framework that we will explore will unpack four different ‘worlds of work’ in 2030 as defined in a PWC study undertaken a few years ago.
One of the concepts we will discuss is the impact that living longer will have on work in the future. Fitting with this discussion is the concept of the ‘100 year life’, the topic of a recent Deloitte’s study. It is conceivable that in 2050 a substantial number of Australians will be reaching this milestone, not as retirees, but still at work:
“What does it mean to have a career today? More specifically, what does it mean in a world where careers span 60 years, even as the half-life of learned skills continues to fall to only about five years? In the past, employees learned to gain skills for a career; now, the career itself is a journey of learning.”
‘Rewriting the Rules for the Digital Age: 2017 Global Human Capital Trends, Deloitte University Press2’
“Of course, we will not just be working for longer; how we work and what we work on will also be different, because the employment landscape and the nature of work itself is also changing dramatically. In addition to the anticipated change in age demographics of workers, which has inspired the research in this paper, we also know that rapid advancements in technology including robotics, artificial intelligence, sensors and big data will continue to transform the way we work.”
‘Higher education for a changing world Ensuring the 100-year life is a better life’ Deloitte study
These statements provide great insight into the way the world of work will change for us all. We will be working for longer, in ways that we are starting to see in our current work places. The work that we will be doing will be heavily connected with technology and data, across all industry sectors. Our work arrangements will be flexible and adapt to workflow. Many of us will be freelance workers, building our skill base and working where our skills are most needed, likely for the highest bidder.
The education programme at Trinity is focussed on preparing our students for the world beyond school by seeking to develop thoughtful independence, and an open, creative mindset in our students. These attributes are developed alongside learning that results in recognised and valuable credentials that will lead to meaningful post school study.
The future of work for our students is very exciting.
Susan Draysey | Careers and Student Pathways Advisor
