(by Sandro Zilli, Innovation Manager Resp. AIDR Innovation and Digital Growth Observatory) The ability to learn is a cornerstone of motivation and human growth. Regardless of whether it is a matter of personal interest or a matter of professional development, curiosity and learning can lead to a more fulfilling and multidimensional life. In addition, numerous studies show that an active and inquiring mind helps prevent age-related memory loss and decline in cognitive abilities.
Especially in the last few years of accelerated technological progress and increasingly conspicuous changes, the need to continue learning even after traditional studies has proven to play a fundamental role in people's lives. Lifelong learning - lifelong learning - allows those who put it into practice to respond effectively and effectively to the new needs, changes and challenges that arise during life.
SCENARIO
We are on the threshold of major transformations in the world of work, and it is likely that within the next 7 years, robots and artificial intelligence will become fundamental in industrial processes. This will lead to a profound transformation of the very nature of work, requiring the management of operations and the workforce through totally new ways. In such a context, it is possible that all those jobs in which automation will be more efficient will lose out. New professions will therefore be born, but considering that more than half of the current employees will also change their jobs, it is necessary to aim more than ever for retraining as the current skills are likely to be insufficient. It is interesting, as reported by a recent McKinsey study, to consider the scenario forecast that by 2055 half of the works will be automated. In Italy, almost 60% of company tasks could therefore be carried out by machines and no longer by man. 11 million workers will be affected by this process. In the not too distant future, in essence, workers will have to deal with new skills. There will always be some figures such as the machine learning engineer, the data scientist or the Big Data developer, which will continue to be in demand in many years but in general, to face the changes in the digital revolution, it will be necessary to be able to create a very strong network presence characterized by technical skills and enhanced through personal branding. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2022 technological innovations and advances in information technology will lead to the creation of 133 million new jobs. With the advance of this technological revolution that will see the combination of human work and those of the machines, it will be necessary to put the emphasis on re-skilling: the training and skills put in place to date will have to be reviewed and implemented according to new business models and processes. On the basis of what has been said, it is clear that the most requested job profiles will be those that will include technological and digital skills and, for this reason, the classic university preparation will be an essential factor alongside the post-graduate specialization programs.
"I'm still learning"
Michelangelo Buonarroti, protagonist of the Italian Renaissance, pronounced these words at the age of 87 after giving birth to unique and extraordinary creations.
The artist still teaches today that we can never consider ourselves arrived because in life there is always something to learn.
THE LIFELONG LEARNING MODEL
The succession of economic, technological and social changes of the last few years has brought to light the common need to keep constantly updated, and the trend for the future seems to settle on the lifelong learning model where the updating of skills will be a determining factor in excelling in a certain profession. Unlike traditional learning, with Lifelong learning, the individual is responsible for everything he learns, the way he learns it and the context in which he chooses to realize his knowledge. This practice therefore refers to the process of acquiring knowledge and learning new skills throughout life. Many people continue their training for personal development and fulfillment, while others see it as a significant step towards career advancement. Lifelong learning is therefore essential to further expand our skills and skill sets, in response to an environment in continuous evolution and new development models that see the continuous change of customer needs.
Continuous learning can be expressed in many forms, not only in attending courses, visiting industry events, reading books, blogs and articles but also in the activities and practices that a professional carries out daily to continue to increase their knowledge and which translate then in the creation of new job opportunities and in the consolidation of one's own skills, a bit like what happened in the Renaissance workshops.
Personally, I have long embraced, and with great satisfaction, the culture of "investing in yourself" and, when I can, I always try to encourage my customers and the people with whom I relate to pursuing it. Perhaps not all attempts immediately lead to a concrete result, but at the end of the path we will certainly find ourselves richer, with more confidence in ourselves and more aware of our potential to face a future that sees change as a constant in life.