ESTCA 2025

In an era of transformative change, understanding the evolving workforce landscape is paramount for educators. My presentation aims to illuminate the shifts from as recent as 5 years ago, and provide actionable insights into preparing students for the dynamic workforce of 2030. One of the key points will be dissecting the technological developments that have reshaped industries and jobs, and discussing the rise of automation, AI, and remote work. Some solutions that will be discussed will emphasize adaptability, critical thinking, and creativity, and we will discuss the essential skills students need to embrace in preparation for the evolving job market. I will provide practical strategies for cultivating these skills within educational contexts. A key focus of this presentation will be on balancing the technological advances and the effects that it has had and will continue to have in the workplace and the essential “human” skills that will always be needed in any workforce. Specific examples will be given on how we can teach these elements using our existing Alberta curriculum. This presentation offers an invaluable opportunity to explore the trajectory of the workforce. We will discuss what we know, what we think we know will happen, and what elements of the “human” side of the workforce will remain constant and how we as educators can continually develop these “human” skills, across all grades and subjects. Attendees will depart with multiple strategies they can use to prepare students for the dynamic opportunities and challenges of the future.