How to Build a Future-Ready Workforce
                     How to Build a Future-Ready Workforce 
 
What is a future-ready workforce? 
The future has always been there. But it's been a consistently moving target. Future readiness is 
about building a workforce that's ready to tackle tomorrow's challenges and capitalise on 
opportunities by overcoming obstacles. A future-ready workforce can maximise their progress 
towards an unseen future. 
How has the workforce evolved since the pandemic hit? 
Everybody has been touched by the fangs of the pandemic. As a result, people's priorities and 
aspirations have changed. They want more control of their lives. This change in thinking also 
impacts how the work is done, the place of work and the number of working hours. 
People have now started prioritising work flexibility while choosing a job. Moreover, the pandemic 
has placed the spotlight on remote working, skilling and constant learning. 
What is reskilling, and how is it different from upskilling? How will it 
help create a future-ready workforce? 
When a recruiter learns to use new tools for virtual hiring, it's called upskilling. The same person 
may also shadow the compensation & benefits team to acquire an additional skill. In both these 
scenarios, the area is the same. 
Reskilling is about learning a totally different skill set. If the same recruiter takes a course in 
accounts or corporate taxation to enhance employability, it's a case of reskilling. 
Does the idea of building a future-ready workplace apply only to 
reskilling, upskilling and knowledge growth? 
Skilling is one of the enablers of future work. Strategy, technology, workplace flexibility, KPIs and 
diversity & inclusion are some of the other main factors that contribute to building a future-ready 
workplace. An organisation should also inspire people to be self-motivated to learn. 
What strategies should a company adopt to build a future-ready 
workforce? 
There are five critical steps a company needs to take. The first is to visualise the future work as 
per the business strategy. The second is to figure out the skill sets required in the future. The third 
is to be aware of the industry dynamics and innovations. Last but not least, it is important to make 
constant learning a way of life.