AI Unscripted with Kieran Gilmurray

Future of Work Unveiled: Navigating Macro Trends and Workforce Transformation by 2030

Kieran Gilmurray

Could nearly 60% of the global workforce require retraining by 2030?
Discover the insights from the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 as we unpack the dramatic shifts in the employment landscape. We're breaking down the five macro trends that act like the tectonic plates of our economy: expanding digital access, economic unpredictability, the shift towards green energy, demographic changes, and rising geoeconomic fragmentation. These trends are not just abstract concepts; they are actively shaping the opportunities and challenges in the job market, influencing everything from the types of jobs available to where they will emerge.

The Future of Jobs Report 2025 reveals significant changes in the global job market influenced by technology, economic uncertainty, and demographic factors. Listeners are encouraged to focus on adaptability, reskilling, and lifelong learning to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape.

• Digital access is transforming job opportunities worldwide
• Economic uncertainty poses planning challenges for businesses and workers
• The green transition is creating jobs in sustainability sectors
• Demographic shifts alter the workforce distribution and roles
• AI and automation are changing job demands and leading to skills retraining
• Key skills for future success include analytical thinking and resilience
• Workers need to embrace lifelong learning to navigate change
• Collaboration on reskilling initiatives is essential for workforce development

Join us as we explore how increased digital access is serving as the foundation for a burgeoning digital economy, unlocking new opportunities for customers, employees, and entrepreneurs worldwide. We also take a closer look at how economic uncertainties and global tensions are impacting business planning and operations. With the green transition promising a wave of new jobs and demographic shifts altering workforce dynamics, it's clear that we're on the cusp of a significant transformation. Tune in to understand these macro trends and gain insights into the future of work, preparing yourself for the changes ahead.

The Future of Jobs Report 2025 | World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum's 2025 Future of Jobs Report analyses how macrotrends and technological advancements will reshape global labor markets through 2030. It examines five key macrotrends—technological change, the green transition, geo-economic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, and demographic shifts—and their impact on job creation and displacement. The report projects significant job growth overall but also highlights emerging skills gaps and the need for substantial workforce reskilling and upskilling. It further explores employer strategies for adapting to these changes, including investments in training and wage adjustments, and offers regional, economic, and industry-specific insights. Finally, it emphasizes the continued importance of human-centered

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Speaker 1:

Right, so we're diving into this World Economic Forum report.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, the Future of Jobs Report 2025.

Speaker 1:

2025.

Speaker 2:

That's right.

Speaker 1:

And you know this thing's pretty dense, but we're going to break it down.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely.

Speaker 1:

It looks at the global job market projects out to 2030.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, all the way to 2030.

Speaker 1:

And it's based on a survey of over a thousand employers worldwide.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, a really comprehensive data set gives us a glimpse into what's coming.

Speaker 1:

And some of this stuff is pretty wild, like, for example, almost 60% of the global workforce might need retraining by 2030.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, retraining, upskilling huge numbers.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, big changes coming.

Speaker 2:

It really highlights how fast things are changing in the job market.

Speaker 1:

Okay. So before we get into the nitty gritty Sure, let's take a step back.

Speaker 2:

Big picture.

Speaker 1:

And talk about the big picture Right. The report talks about five major forces shaping the job landscape.

Speaker 2:

They call them macro trends.

Speaker 1:

Macro trends? Yeah, what are these things?

Speaker 2:

So think of them as like the tectonic plates of the global economy.

Speaker 1:

OK.

Speaker 2:

Shifting beneath our feet, shaping everything, OK, I'm intrigued.

Speaker 1:

Lay it on me.

Speaker 2:

All right. So the first one this is maybe the most surprising is the broadening of digital access.

Speaker 1:

Digital access.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

More so than AI.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, the report actually identifies that as the most transformative trend.

Speaker 1:

That's interesting because you hear so much about AI. Oh, absolutely, but think about it so much about AI?

Speaker 2:

Oh, absolutely, but think about it. As more people come online all over the world, you're opening up this huge pool of customers, employees, entrepreneurs.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I see what you mean.

Speaker 2:

It's game changing for every industry.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it's like the foundation for the future.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. It's like laying the groundwork for a whole new digital economy. A whole new digital economy, yeah, and that's just one of the five.

Speaker 1:

Okay, what's number two?

Speaker 2:

Number two is economic uncertainty.

Speaker 1:

Okay.

Speaker 2:

So things like rising cost of living.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, we're all feeling that.

Speaker 2:

Exactly potential slowdowns in economic growth.

Speaker 1:

Makes it hard to plan for the future.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely, and that uncertainty is really tied to the third macro trend, which is the green transition.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so we're talking about, like sustainability and Sustainability, renewable energy, all that. Right.

Speaker 2:

As the world shifts towards more sustainable practices, we're seeing these massive investments.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, so that's creating jobs, I imagine.

Speaker 2:

Creating a ton of new jobs in those sectors, absolutely. And the fourth one is the fourth trend is demographic shifts.

Speaker 1:

Okay.

Speaker 2:

So we're talking aging populations in some parts of the world, booming working age populations in others.

Speaker 1:

So it's not just the types of jobs.

Speaker 2:

Right.

Speaker 1:

But where they are.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's going to have a big impact on where the jobs are and who's filling them.

Speaker 1:

It's like a big game of musical chairs.

Speaker 2:

That's a great way to put it Everyone trying to find their place, yeah. Everyone trying to find their place. Yeah, and then, finally, we have the fifth macro trend.

Speaker 1:

Okay, hear me.

Speaker 2:

Geoeconomic fragmentation. Geoeconomic fragmentation Okay that sounds a little scary, it sounds intimidating, but essentially it refers to the increasing global tensions and conflicts. Oh, okay, so we're talking like trade wars and yeah, trade wars, political instability, all those things that make it harder for businesses to operate globally.

Speaker 1:

Right Disrupt supply chains.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely, it's all connected.

Speaker 1:

So we've got these five macro trends and they all kind of play off of each other.

Speaker 2:

Exactly, they're all interconnected.

Speaker 1:

It's like a big, complex system.

Speaker 2:

It is a complex system.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so we need to keep those in mind as we look at everything else.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely. These trends are kind of the foundation for all the other predictions in the report.

Speaker 1:

The foundation OK.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's important to understand them before we dive deeper.

Speaker 1:

All right. So we talked about digital access being this massive transformative force.

Speaker 2:

Right. Can you give me some concrete examples of how that's actually playing out. Sure, so one of the biggest impacts we're seeing is this accelerated adoption of new technologies Like AI and robotics.

Speaker 1:

Is this accelerated adoption of new technologies Like AI and robotics?

Speaker 2:

AI, robotics, data analytics all becoming more accessible, more affordable.

Speaker 1:

Because of the digital infrastructure.

Speaker 2:

Exactly, digital access is like the key that unlocks the door to all these other advancements.

Speaker 1:

It makes them possible.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely, and that leads to big changes in the types of jobs that are in demand.

Speaker 1:

And the report actually looks at that right.

Speaker 2:

Oh yeah, the report dives deep into which jobs are expected to grow.

Speaker 1:

Okay.

Speaker 2:

And which are heading towards obsolescence.

Speaker 1:

Okay, let's start with the good news. What are the hot jobs of the future?

Speaker 2:

All right. So, as you might expect, tech-heavy roles are dominating the growth charts.

Speaker 1:

Tech All right. So, as you might expect, tech heavy roles are dominating the growth charts. Tech, yeah that makes sense.

Speaker 2:

But it's not just about coding anymore. It's more specialized.

Speaker 1:

More specialized.

Speaker 2:

Like the top five fastest growing job titles are all in things like AI, machine learning, fintech.

Speaker 1:

Fintech yeah, that's a hot area.

Speaker 2:

It is, and they all require a blend of technical skills and problem solving.

Speaker 1:

So you got to be able to think, not just code, absolutely. What are those top five jobs?

Speaker 2:

So we're looking at AI and machine learning specialists, fintech engineers, big data specialists, software and application developers and security management specialists.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so if you can speak computer, you're in good shape.

Speaker 2:

If you can speak computer and solve problems, yeah, your future looks bright.

Speaker 1:

Bright. What else? What other sectors are booming?

Speaker 2:

Green jobs are also exploding right now.

Speaker 1:

Green jobs. Yeah, because of the whole sustainability thing.

Speaker 2:

Exactly as the world invests more in sustainability, those roles are in high demand.

Speaker 1:

Like what? What kind of specific jobs?

Speaker 2:

So some of the fastest growing ones autonomous and electric vehicle specialists, environmental engineers, renewable energy engineers.

Speaker 1:

So, basically, if you can help businesses adapt to a more digital and sustainable future, You're in high demand. You are in high demand. Ok, but now for the not so good news.

Speaker 2:

Right the flip side of that.

Speaker 1:

Some jobs are fading fast.

Speaker 2:

That's right, and it's largely due to automation.

Speaker 1:

Automation. Those robots are coming for us.

Speaker 2:

Well, it's not so much about robots taking jobs. It's more about how automation is changing the nature of work.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so what jobs are on the jobbing block?

Speaker 2:

The top five declining job titles are cashiers, ticket clerks, administrative assistants, printing workers and accountants and auditors.

Speaker 1:

It's not just blue-collar jobs.

Speaker 2:

No, it's across the board.

Speaker 1:

It's white-collar too.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. That's one of the key takeaways here Automation is impacting every sector.

Speaker 1:

So even if my job title isn't on that declining list, my day-to-day work could still be changing a lot.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely, and that's why it's so important to focus on those skills that will be in demand in this new world of work.

Speaker 1:

Which is what we're going to get into next.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. It's really interesting how the report emphasizes it's not just about specific jobs.

Speaker 1:

Right.

Speaker 2:

It's about the skills you need.

Speaker 1:

So we need to be more adaptable, like a Swiss army knife.

Speaker 2:

That's a great analogy. You got it Ready for anything and the report actually breaks down the core skills that are essential for workers today. Okay, what are they? Number one is analytical thinking.

Speaker 1:

Analytical thinking, so being able to solve problems, spot patterns, make good decisions.

Speaker 2:

Exactly, being able to sift through information, assess situations, come up with solutions.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that makes sense In a world that's getting more complex.

Speaker 2:

It's crucial across so many roles.

Speaker 1:

Absolutely. What else is on that list?

Speaker 2:

So, right after analytical thinking, they've grouped together resilience, flexibility and agility.

Speaker 1:

Oh interesting. So it's not enough to just be smart, right, you also need to be able to adapt. You got to roll with the punches.

Speaker 2:

Roll with the punches. Yeah, things are changing so fast.

Speaker 1:

Exactly, and then rounding out the top five yeah, we have leadership and social influence.

Speaker 2:

Ah, so it's not just about working on your own, nope, you got to be able to work with others.

Speaker 1:

You got to inspire, collaborate, get things done as a team.

Speaker 2:

Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say.

Speaker 1:

Exactly Now. Here's what's really fascinating. Ok tell me. The report also projects which skills are going to be even more important by 2030.

Speaker 2:

OK, so which skills should we be focusing on?

Speaker 1:

You won't be surprised to hear. The top three are AI and big data networks, and cybersecurity and technological literacy.

Speaker 2:

So tech skills are still king.

Speaker 1:

Still king, but don't discount those Soster skills.

Speaker 2:

The interpersonal skills, the adaptability.

Speaker 1:

Those are gaining traction too. Creative thinking is high on the list.

Speaker 2:

Creative thinking yeah.

Speaker 1:

And that curiosity, that drive for lifelong learning. Those are crucial.

Speaker 2:

So you got to be a lifelong learner.

Speaker 1:

Lifelong learner, always adapting.

Speaker 2:

What about those resilience, flexibility, agility skills? You guessed it. Those are going to be even more important.

Speaker 1:

So employers aren't just looking for robots who can code, nope, they want people who can think creatively. They want well-rounded individuals, solve problems, work with others.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely, and here's a fascinating contrast.

Speaker 1:

Okay, what is it?

Speaker 2:

Physical abilities are the only skill category expected to decline in importance. Oh interesting, probably due to those automation trends.

Speaker 1:

Right If a machine can do it.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. Humans don't need to, so the premium is really shifting toward those uniquely human skills.

Speaker 1:

Creativity, problem solving, emotional intelligence.

Speaker 2:

Exactly the stuff machines can't do.

Speaker 1:

Yet Right Now. You mentioned earlier that 59 out of 100 workers might need training by 2030. Yeah, that's a big number. That's a lot of people. Where do we even begin?

Speaker 2:

Well, let's break it down.

Speaker 1:

Okay.

Speaker 2:

It's a mix of upskilling, gaining new skills to level up in your current role.

Speaker 1:

Right, so some people can stay where they are.

Speaker 2:

Exactly current role, right. So some people can stay where they are Exactly.

Speaker 1:

And then there's reskilling, learning, entirely new skills for a different role, so some people might need to make a bigger change.

Speaker 2:

Right, and the report actually shows what this might look like for a group of 100 workers.

Speaker 1:

Ok, Walk me through it.

Speaker 2:

So out of those 129 could upskill in their current role.

Speaker 1:

OK.

Speaker 2:

And another 19 could upskill and move to a new position within their company.

Speaker 1:

So almost half could stay with their current employer.

Speaker 2:

That's right, but sadly 11 out of those 100 probably won't get the training they need.

Speaker 1:

Oh, so their jobs are at risk.

Speaker 2:

Potentially yeah, and then the remaining 41 wouldn't need any retraining at all.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so that's the breakdown.

Speaker 2:

That's how it could shake out at all.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so that's the breakdown. That's how it could shake out. But who's going to pay for all this training?

Speaker 2:

That's the million-dollar question.

Speaker 1:

Right? Is it going to fall on individuals or will companies help out?

Speaker 2:

Well, the report indicates that most companies plan to rely mainly on their own resources.

Speaker 1:

Oh.

Speaker 2:

To fund training, they'll also use free training programs and maybe some government support.

Speaker 1:

So it's a mix of public and private investment.

Speaker 2:

Exactly Makes sense, given how big of a challenge this is. No-transcript. So they're aiming for a few things Like what? Increased productivity, competitiveness those are high on the list.

Speaker 1:

Makes sense.

Speaker 2:

But they also want to improve talent retention, keep their skilled employees happy and loyal, right.

Speaker 1:

You got to keep your good people.

Speaker 2:

And make it easier for employees to move into new roles within the company.

Speaker 1:

So it's not just about profits.

Speaker 2:

No, it's about investing in their workforce.

Speaker 1:

Investing in people Exactly. It's becoming essential for companies to survive, and succeed, especially in this fast changing world, absolutely.

Speaker 2:

And that brings us to the elephant in the room.

Speaker 1:

What's that?

Speaker 2:

The AI revolution.

Speaker 1:

Ah yes, the robots are coming for our jobs. Part two. But you said earlier that AI is also creating new opportunities.

Speaker 2:

It is. It's a complex situation.

Speaker 1:

So how are companies dealing with this AI thing? The most popular approach is reskilling and upskilling existing employees to work with a to work alongside AI exactly so it's not humans versus machines, no, it's humans and machines working together that's it leveraging AI to enhance human capabilities to make us better and here's where it gets really interesting okay, I'm listening 40% of companies are planning to completely change their business models. Because of AI.

Speaker 2:

To capitalize on the opportunities created by AI.

Speaker 1:

Wow, that's a big shift.

Speaker 2:

It's forcing businesses to rethink what they do and how they do it.

Speaker 1:

So it's changing entire industries.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely. It creates a whole new set of challenges and opportunities.

Speaker 1:

Okay, my head's spinning a bit, but before we get too deep into, that I want to talk about wages.

Speaker 2:

Wages yeah.

Speaker 1:

Are we all going to end up working harder for less money?

Speaker 2:

That's a common concern.

Speaker 1:

It is.

Speaker 2:

But the report offers some reassurance.

Speaker 1:

Okay, good.

Speaker 2:

Over half of the employers plan to allocate more of their revenue to wages by 2030.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so wages are going up.

Speaker 2:

And only a small percentage expect a decrease.

Speaker 1:

That's good news it is.

Speaker 2:

It's a positive trend.

Speaker 1:

What's driving that?

Speaker 2:

Well, companies realize that to attract and retain top talent, Right, you got to stay competitive. They need to offer competitive salaries.

Speaker 1:

So it's about rewarding employees and staying ahead of the curve. What about things like government regulations and unions?

Speaker 2:

Those play a role too.

Speaker 1:

Right. They help ensure fair wages.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so we've covered a lot of ground here.

Speaker 2:

We have.

Speaker 1:

It's a lot to process, but I'm feeling more excited than scared.

Speaker 2:

That's great.

Speaker 1:

There are opportunities out there.

Speaker 2:

Lots of opportunities.

Speaker 1:

If you're willing to be adaptable.

Speaker 2:

That's the key takeaway, and embrace lifelong learning. The future of work is all about adaptability.

Speaker 1:

So, before we wrap up, sure, what does all of this mean for our listeners?

Speaker 2:

That's a great question.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Ultimately, each listener needs to answer that for themselves.

Speaker 1:

Based on their own situation.

Speaker 2:

Exactly, but here's the core message the job market is changing fast.

Speaker 1:

Because of technology.

Speaker 2:

Technology, environmental concerns, global shifts.

Speaker 1:

But it's not all bad news, not at all. New opportunities are emerging.

Speaker 2:

The key is to be adaptable, proactive.

Speaker 1:

So how can people prepare for this future of work?

Speaker 2:

The first step is self-reflection.

Speaker 1:

Okay, look inward.

Speaker 2:

Think about your skills, your interests.

Speaker 1:

What are you good at?

Speaker 2:

What do you enjoy? What are you passionate about learning.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, what are you excited about?

Speaker 2:

Once you understand your strengths and aspirations, you can start exploring opportunities.

Speaker 1:

That align with those.

Speaker 2:

Exactly.

Speaker 1:

So self-awareness is key.

Speaker 2:

Self-awareness is the foundation.

Speaker 1:

The foundation for action.

Speaker 2:

It's about understanding your unique value and then leveraging that in a changing world.

Speaker 1:

So you've done some soul searching, you've got some ideas. Where do you go from there?

Speaker 2:

Well, there are tons of resources out there.

Speaker 1:

Okay, like what? Where can people find this stuff?

Speaker 2:

Online professional organizations even at the local level.

Speaker 1:

Okay, that's good to know. Online professional organizations, even at the local level Okay, that's good to know. Are there any specific initiatives that?

Speaker 2:

you'd recommend. Actually, the World Economic Forum has this great initiative called the Reskilling Revolution.

Speaker 1:

Reskilling Revolution. That sounds pretty intense.

Speaker 2:

It is In a good way. It's this global coalition.

Speaker 1:

Oh wow, so it's not just one organization.

Speaker 2:

No, it's governments, businesses, educational institutions, all coming together.

Speaker 1:

To do what?

Speaker 2:

To make reskilling and upskilling more accessible.

Speaker 1:

To everyone.

Speaker 2:

To everyone exactly. They offer all sorts of programs, tools, resources.

Speaker 1:

So people can find the skills they need.

Speaker 2:

Identify in-demand skills. Find training opportunities.

Speaker 1:

Even connect with employers.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's really about connecting people with the right opportunities.

Speaker 1:

That's awesome. It's good to see that kind of collaboration.

Speaker 2:

It is. It shows that this isn't just an individual problem.

Speaker 1:

It's a global thing.

Speaker 2:

It's a societal challenge. We need to work together to solve it.

Speaker 1:

Now I know some people are feeling a little overwhelmed by all this.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's a lot to take in.

Speaker 1:

Anxious even. What advice would you give them?

Speaker 2:

Well, the best antidote to anxiety is action.

Speaker 1:

Don't just sit there and worry Exactly.

Speaker 2:

Channel that energy into something positive Like learning new skills, learning, exploring. Don't get stuck in that worry cycle.

Speaker 1:

So take some online courses, go to events.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, reach out to people in fields you're interested in.

Speaker 1:

Network Learn as much as you can.

Speaker 2:

The more you learn, the less intimidating it all seems.

Speaker 1:

Knowledge is power.

Speaker 2:

It really is. And remember, you don't have to figure everything out at once.

Speaker 1:

It's a journey.

Speaker 2:

Take it one step at a time.

Speaker 1:

This report really makes you think. It does Not just about the skills, but about the nature of those skills.

Speaker 2:

Right Like, can you really teach things like resilience and creativity?

Speaker 1:

Yeah, are those things you're born with, or can you learn them?

Speaker 2:

That's a tough question. It is I think it's a bit of both nature and nurture.

Speaker 1:

So we all have some natural abilities.

Speaker 2:

Right, but we can also develop them through practice and experience.

Speaker 1:

So we're not just stuck with what we're born with.

Speaker 2:

Exactly, we have the capacity to learn and grow throughout our lives.

Speaker 1:

That's empowering.

Speaker 2:

It is. It means we have agency. We can shape our own destinies.

Speaker 1:

Even in a world that's changing so fast.

Speaker 2:

Especially in a world that's changing so fast.

Speaker 1:

We can't just rely on the skills we have today.

Speaker 2:

Oh, we need to keep learning, keep adapting.

Speaker 1:

To thrive in the future of work.

Speaker 2:

That's the key.

Speaker 1:

All right. So on that note of empowerment and adaptability, yeah. We want to hear from you, our listeners. What are your thoughts on all this?

Speaker 2:

Do you think resilience and creativity can be taught?

Speaker 1:

What are you doing to prepare for the future of work?

Speaker 2:

Share your thoughts with us on social media.

Speaker 1:

We want to keep this conversation going.

Speaker 2:

Let's learn from each other.

Speaker 1:

Support each other.

Speaker 2:

Navigate these exciting times together.

Speaker 1:

Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into the future of work.

Speaker 2:

It's been a pleasure.

Speaker 1:

Until next time, stay curious and keep learning.

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