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The Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) — an international forum for workforce development and labor market insights — has released a report shedding light on how rapidly evolving technologies are reshaping global employment.
Navigating Tomorrow: Mastering Skills in a Dynamic Global Labor Market, the report, underscores India’s pivotal role in the Global South’s response to artificial intelligence and automation, showcasing the country’s workers as frontrunners in skill development and technological adaptation. The report surveyed 14,000 individuals — 1,000 each — from 14 countries. Individuals surveyed were aged 18+ and were either employed, unemployed, or self-employed. The countries covered are Australia, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Jordan, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, UK, USA, and Vietnam.
“The research highlights a growing global unease about the speed of technological transformation, and over half of workers in major economies feel their skills could become obsolete within just five years. This concern is less a marker of pessimism and should be viewed as recognition of the urgent need for action,” said Dr Séamus McGuinness, Research Professor, Economic and Social Research Institute, and member of GLMC’s Scientific Committee.
“This presents an opportunity: governments, businesses, and communities must now channel this anxiety into proactive solutions, creating accessible pathways for upskilling and reskilling. The findings serve as a reminder that technological progress should be met with equal investment in human potential, ensuring that no worker is left behind in the rapidly evolving future of work. It is vital that governments and businesses align to reduce barriers and ensure that education systems and training are both relevant and effective.” McGuinness added.
India’s workers rise to meet the challenge of the tech era
With over 70% of Indian professionals actively seeking opportunities to upskill, the report identifies India as a global leader in technological adaptation. The dynamic nature of India’s job market, where artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation are becoming integral, drives this proactive stance.
Higher trust in government compared to other markets:
While global trust in governments to support upskilling remains low at 20%, Indian respondents (31%) and those in Saudi Arabia (35%) demonstrated significantly higher confidence in their governments. In contrast, countries like the USA (15%) and UK (12%) reported markedly lower trust levels. Indian respondents also expressed 49% trust in businesses, further emphasizing the private sector’s role in workforce development.
Technological change is driving urgency for skills development:
The urgency to reskill due to technological advancements is a shared concern among Indian workers, with 55% fearing that their skills could become partially or fully obsolete within the next five years. This places India in line with the global trend, where similar concerns are expressed by 61% in Brazil and 60% in China, compared to lower levels in developed markets such as the UK (44%) and Australia (43%).
Climate change spurs skills development in key sectors:
Climate change is a more significant driver of upskilling or reskilling in India, with 32% of respondents identifying it as a factor influencing their reskilling decisions in the next five years. This aligns with countries like China (41%) and Vietnam (36%) but contrasts with countries such as the UK (14%) and USA (18%), where climate change has a comparatively lower impact on skills development priorities.
Barriers to skill development persist:
Barriers to upskilling or reskilling remain consistent globally, with Indian respondents citing lack of time (40%) and financial constraints (38%) as primary challenges. Similar patterns are observed in Brazil, where 43% report lack of time and 39% financial constraints, and in South Africa, where 45% and 42% respectively cite these barriers. In contrast, respondents in developed markets like Norway and the UK report fewer obstacles. In Norway, only 27% cite lack of time and 28% financial constraints, while in the UK, the figures are 31% and 24%, respectively, reflecting the impact of stronger support systems in these countries. These variations highlight the differing levels of accessibility and institutional support across global regions.
Emphasis on STEM, cognitive, and socio-emotional skills:
When considering the future of skills, respondents in the APAC region, including India, prioritized cognitive skills (54%) and STEM capabilities (38%) as essential for thriving in a technology-driven economy. In contrast, socio-emotional skills were more valued in service-oriented economies such as the USA and the EU, with 39% and 41% of respondents prioritizing these skills, respectively. Meanwhile, in Africa and LATAM, STEM skills are relatively lower in priority at 30% and 34%, respectively, while entrepreneurial skills gained prominence in Africa (47%). These variations highlight regional differences in workforce priorities and the influence of economic structures on skill demand.
India’s position in the global context
India’s proactive stance on upskilling (55%) for the next five years contrasts sharply with trends in more developed markets like the U.S. (51%), UK (44%), and Australia (49%), where fewer workers reported urgency to reskill due to technological change. Additionally, 26% of Indian respondents expressed anxiety about job automation, showing a more optimistic outlook compared to 36% in China, which leads as the most technologically anxious market. These figures highlight the Indian workforce’s balanced awareness and proactive approach to navigating an AI-driven economy.
The Global Labor Market Conference will host the second edition of its annual meeting at the King Abdulaziz International Convention Center in Riyadh January 29-30, 2025.
(Photo courtesy: Unsplash)
