​This report deals with perhaps one of the most pressing issues facing employers and employees, students and teachers, politicians and experts today: what and where are tomorrow’s jobs and what skills will they require? While it is understandably difficult to extrapolate trends, data and interviews with experts helps to inform predictions and forecast. The report looks at global trends but links also to two case studies carried out in Ghana and Vietnam. The report assesses broad factors and disruptors that may have a qualitative impact on future job trends rather than quantitative analysis of macro-economic factors. However, not all growth is assured in this rapidly evolving environment. Tomorrow’s jobs require new skills and many employers are left with a potential workforce severely lacking in these necessary competencies. The skills shortage may become a major stumbling block for companies, investors and entrepreneurs who face difficulties in finding the right people to help them grow. Traditional educational models and career paths no longer service the new economy and adjustments will be needed in order to bridge the skills gap. This report examines those key sectors that present the greatest opportunity for growth and job creation but may concurrently be most affected by the very real skills shortage. These sectors reflect a changing economy and evolving industries. Manufacturing isn’t simply a central factory anymore, nor are IT services the preserve of tech specialists. Millions of jobs may be created in these sectors but the skills gap in each must be overcome to ensure future prosperity.

Claudia Pompa