reinforced the emphasis on sovereign and national supply
chains and inventories which will have a significant impact on
many sectors. High on that list are manufacturing, food and
energy.
3. Accelerated digitisation: the new era of virtual work is here
to stay. Companies and workers alike will have to adjust.
We expect there to be a reinvigorated drive towards new
skills. Upskilling and reskilling will gain in importance and as
cybersecurity becomes more pertinent, we will see more
jobs created in this industry.
4. More focus on sustainability and diversity: as we learn
to travel less and work more from home, our consumption
patterns will change. The physical distancing economy put
the emphasis on solidarity, inclusion and diversity.
5. The new – or better – normal: last but not least and as we
shift out of the crisis, we will have to redefine the existing
social contract. The opportunity to create a lasting change
that will make the future work for everyone and one that
will extend social protection to all forms of work is one that
should not be missed or wasted.
Turning the challenge into opportunities
Going forward, there are many open questions but one thing
we know already is the coronavirus pandemic has significantly
accelerated the future of work. If we want to come out of the
crisis stronger and more resilient, we will all have to play our
part. Workers will have to invest more time in reskilling, as
soft skills and digital skills will become a must. Businesses and
organisations will need to embrace remote work and automation
while creating a more flexible and de-centralised workplace.
And policymakers will find themselves at a crossroad as their
decisions will determine how well our economies will recover
and how resilient they will become in the face of future crises.
There is a lot of work ahead of us, no doubt, but if we succeed,
we will turn today’s opportunities into reality of tomorrow; a
reality that will make the future work for all, in a safe, inclusive
and prosperous way.