Skills for an uncertain future: How youth can navigate a changing job market
Key takeawaysNearly 40 per cent of skills workers rely on now could change or become outdated by 2030, but Francesca Fanelli, senior associate director of Columbia University, has some tips:Do not search for an “AI-proof” careerKnowing how to use AI effectively is becoming a valuable workplace skillExplore opportunities across different industries and remain open to new directions as the world of work continues to evolveFocus on interests and strengths while building a broad “toolkit” of transferable skillsHighlighting the importance of equipping young people with what is needed for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship, World Youth Skills Day, marked annually on 15 July, raises an important question related to its 2026 theme, Skills for the Shared Future: how can young people prepare for labour market needs that will continue to evolve throughout their lives?“I think young people today need to be more open-minded, more flexible, more adaptable,” said Francesca Fanelli, senior associate director of graduate career development at Columbia University.Amid helping students and recent graduates navigate today’s competitive and rapidly changing job market, she spoke with UN News about some of the best ways to rise to the challenge.Skills for an uncertain futureThe World Economic Forum estimates that nearly 40 per cent of the skills workers rely on now could change or become outdated by 2030, making adaptability and lifelong learning more important than ever.The answer is not to search for an “AI-proof” career, Ms. Fanelli said.
