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idealog/ATEED
Idealog.co.nz | The Transformation Issue
learnings from the organisation’s automation journey
and Nick Mackeson-Smith, learning enablement lead at
Spark New Zealand, who proposed training is dead and
that to succeed in the future of work era we must embrace
life-long learning.
Subsequently, this year’s summit involved Auckland’s
youth, creating a conversation between employers and
the workforce of tomorrow, and empowering the next
generation of leaders.
Pam Ford, general manager of economic development
at Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development
(ATEED), which developed and hosted the Future Ready
Summit, says the future of work is a hot topic around the
world but it needs to be examined and planned for at a
local level.
“Auckland’s workforce is ageing, with longer life
expectancy and better health care creating opportunities
for older people to engage in work.
“At the same time, Auckland’s rapidly growing
population is young and diverse, with nearly 40 percent
born overseas and young Maori and Pacific people
representing over a third of Aucklanders aged under
24 years.
“This mix is unique to Auckland, so when considering
how to best prepare a city for the future, it’s not a case of
applying a one-size-fits-all approach.”
This year’s summit offered additional insights with
the release of research findings on Auckland’s future
skills needs and an associated insight paper, Future
Ready Auckland: Driving economic development through
technology and transformation.
“As Auckland’s economic development agency,
ATEED’s goal is to ensure quality jobs for all Aucklanders,”
says Pam Ford.
“When our initial work estimated that more than
270,000 jobs in Auckland will be changed by automation,
we set out to better understand the region’s future skills
needs and how technology will change workforce skills
and requirements.
The research revealed that while Auckland’s
employers and industry are enthusiastic about the
opportunities that emerging technologies create, many
are not adopting available technology due to insufficient
capability to scope, procure and implement new
technology; limited understanding from organisational
leaders and governance; and budget constraints associated
with the scale of investment required.
Pam Ford says, “The research findings are somewhat
concerning because it’s vital Auckland businesses
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ILWVDOODSSURDFKABOVE: Anna-Jane
Edwards from The
Southern Initiative
discussed changing
the future of south
Auckland.
LEFT: Sir Stephen
Tindall, KGCNZ,
discusses what a future
ready Auckland might
look like with young
summit attendees.
BELOW: Nick
Mackeson-Smith,
Learning Enablement
Lead at Spark New
Zealand, explains the
importance of life-long
learning.understand the future is happening now.
“The benefit of the Future Ready Summit is that it
provides a forum to foster connections between those
already preparing their workplaces and workforces
for the future and those that are just starting out and
seeking guidance on their future ready journey.”
While the summit and research are specific to
Auckland, Pam Ford says understanding the region’s
future readiness has wider benefits.
“As New Zealand’s largest city, both in terms
of population and size of the economy, Auckland’s
economic performance has a significant impact on the
economic success of the nation.
“Our region’s future prosperity, and ultimately New
Zealand’s, will be determined by how Auckland prepares
for and adapts to technological transformation and
workforce changes.” ■