To say that the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted every aspect of our lives, especially the way we work, is an understatement. 

The pandemic itself resulted in over 110 million fewer jobs with approximately 20 million in OECD countries alone. The unemployment rate also rose from 5.3% in 2019 to 6.6% in 2021 with a long-term displacement from the labor market than before the pandemic.

Even if people are actively seeking employment, they have to deal with the estimated 85 million jobs that may be displaced by 2025. This dire situation clearly shows that countries are in desperate need to improve their human capital. 

In fact, many companies expect their employees to re-skill and up-skill on the job. As such, these companies are prepared to provide the necessary lifelong learning and training to a majority of their employees, by 2025. This demand for reskilling and upskilling in the workplace is a clear indication that the culture of learning is rapidly becoming the new workplace norm. 

These changes in our employment outlook imply that individuals need to pursue lifelong learning to ensure that they are employable for tomorrow’s workforce. 

As such, the LEARNTech Asia Conference 2021 sought to provide future-ready opportunities for both companies and individuals to meet the great demand for reskilling and upskilling the workplace.