The Transformation Issue | Idealog.co.nz
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T
he Future Ready Summit was held to
examine current and future workforce trends
so Auckland businesses and people can become
future-ready in the face of technological
disruption, changing skills needs and new
ways of working.
Hosted by the lively futurist Dave Wild,
who believes the best way to predict the future is to be the
ones creating it, this year’s summit was fully subscribed,
with 250 people in attendance to gain practical advice
from the insights and experiences of leading experts, case
studies and panel discussions.
Broadly, speakers highlighted Auckland’s quickly
growing population growth, which as the fastest region in
New Zealand is expected to exceed two million people by2031. This surge in population will naturally result in job
growth, even if we don’t change how we operate, but to
build economic adaptability, productivity, and resilience
there is a need to harness technological disruption.
One presentation pointed out specific industries
bound for job growth, particularly construction, where
56,000 new jobs are set to take hold, as well as healthcare
and education.
Another showcased ‘skills you need to thrive in the
future’, a growing list featuring the importance of cognitive
flexibility and creativity in the workforce – the fastest
growing skills in the workforce, according to Wild.
Refreshingly, though, the conversation shifted from
hazy generalisations about the future of work, to specific
issues set to face Auckland. For instance, Xavier Black and
Anna-Jane Edwards, social intrapreneurs at The Southern
Initiative, spoke of linking qualification industries
for young Maori and Pacific people in west and south
Auckland. A complicated issue, as automation is predicted
to first take hold of typically low-paid jobs, which are most
prevalent in lower socio-economic areas.
The speakers were distinctly diverse, each offering
different perspectives on the future of work. For example,
Sir Stephen Tindall spoke about the need to shift away
from discussions about jobs being taken away from people,
and rather focus on what industries are prepared to move
and be agile.
Hours later, a group of young students took to
the stage, offering sophisticated takes on the future of
work, where they called on schools and educators to
step out of their silos and connect with wider businesses
and communities.
Other speakers in the stocked line-up, included Sarah
Hindle, general manager of Tech Futures Lab and expert
on how to develop human potential in the digital economy,
Justin Durocher, robotics process lead and continuous
improvement analyst at Auckland Council, who sharedINSIDE THE
2019 FUTURE
READY SUMMIT
Some of the most
distinguished minds
on the future of work
came together with
Auckland employers,
education providers
and youth for an
educational and
interactive day at
the Future Ready
Summit 2019.
Findlay Buchanan
reflects on key
learnings from
the event.TOP: The Future Ready Summit 2019 was attended by 250 people.
ABOVE: ATEED's Lauren Millar shares why it's important for employers
to listen to youth with futurist and event facilitator, Dave Wild.T