The pandemic has accelerated trends in remote work and learning, e-commerce, and automation, and has created new challenges and opportunities for individuals and organizations (Ludema & Johnson, 2020). The future of work will require significant change across the workforce, including individuals and companies, that need to find ways to stay relevant and identify new opportunities for growth. Upskilling and reskilling the workforce are leading strategies for empowering organizational adaptability, resilience, and success while empowering people to be professionally relevant and valuable to their organization. 

Elatia Abate and her organization The Future of Now is interested in studying the rapid evolution of workplace practices and how individuals and organizations can stay relevant and create opportunities in the context of rapid change and disruption. Elatia spent seven weeks interviewing contacts on the future of work throughout her LinkedIn network about their challenges and opportunities, as well as advice and predictions for the next 18-24 months. Elatia has particularly focused on how networking, connection, and community might change as a result of the pandemic.

For your assignment, select one of the following industries (teaching, architecture, accounting, transportation, or legal) and make specific recommendations that organizations and company leaders can follow in order to upskill and/or reskill their workforce. Start by highlighting the three most valuable skills currently in demand in your chosen industry along with methods for individuals to refine those skills. How about the skills that these employees are likely needed for the future of work in that industry? What necessary skills do you advise employees in this field to learn to optimize their fitness for the future of work in your chosen industry? How can companies and their leadership play an active role in this process? What resources are available out there? How can Elatia Abate help?