The future of jobs

The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 outlines a rapidly evolving employment landscape with change driven by driven by technological advancements, sustainability imperatives and shifting societal expectations.

Looking across 1,000 global employers representing 14 million workers, the report highlights the impacts of these trends on the workforce and workers. For directors, understanding these impacts is crucial to steering organisations toward resilience and long-term success.

Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping industries, displacing some roles while creating new ones. The report indicates that 59 per cent of employees will require upskilling in the next five years. A challenge for boards is ensuring a responsible AI transition that balances efficiency gains with job creation. Directors must champion and resource continuous learning and development initiatives, ensuring that their workforce is adaptable and equipped with skills in analytical thinking, complex problem-solving and digital literacy.

The transition to a green economy is continuing to accelerate. Climate change mitigation is driving demand for sustainability skills in areas such as renewable energy and the environment. Environmental stewardship was, for the first time in the Future of Jobs Report, listed among the 10 fastest growing skills. Boards should integrate environmental considerations into their strategic planning, recognising the dual benefits of environmental stewardship and economic opportunity. This approach not only aligns with global trends but also meets regulatory changes and increasing stakeholder expectations for corporate responsibility.

The speed at which jobs are evolving presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Supporting employee health and wellbeing emerged as the top priority for increasing talent (64 per cent), up from ninth last year. Second was providing effective reskilling and upskilling (63 per cent) and improving talent progression and promotion processes (62 per cent).

With rising workplace stress linked to rapid technological change and economic uncertainty, companies must integrate holistic wellbeing initiatives into their business strategy. Alongside reskilling and upskilling to support employees to adapt to technological change, organisations that prioritise mental health support, work-life balance, and job security will have a significant advantage in talent retention.

As directors, steering organisations through this transformative period requires agility, foresight and a commitment to workforce evolution.

Considerations for directors:

• • Prioritise upskilling and reskilling: Promote continuous learning to align with technological advancements and sustainability expectations.
  • Integrate sustainability: Embed environmental considerations into strategic planning.
  • Foster diversity: Implement inclusive practices to enhance innovation and performance.
  • Embrace flexible work: Develop policies that support remote- and hybrid-work models effectively.
  • Champion continuous learning: Build a culture where employees are equipped for the jobs of tomorrow.
  • Invest in workplace wellbeing: Address mental health, work-life balance, flexible working arrangements and employee engagement as key health and safety, and retention, strategies.

 

AI assisted in the creation of this article.