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.