Canadian Government Executive - Volume 25 - Issue 02

24 / Canadian Government Executive // April/May 2019 Millennial Outlook People first, policy second An Introduction to CGE’s Millennial Outlook Since debuting in 2000, Survivor has tra- versed the world and humanity over 38 seasons. It birthed a new lexicon inmodern vernacular – alliance, social game, hidden immunity idol, tribal council, blindside. Its folklore features iconic phrases like “come on in, guys”, “drop your buffs”, “let’s get to today’s immunity challenge”, “once again, immunity is up for grabs”, “time to vote”, and “I’ll go tally the votes.” Survivor brings new meaning to game theory. Reward and immunity challenges call upon players to manage relationships, unravel clues, solve puzzles, and compete physically. The winners are not always the smartest or strongest but those who learn quickest how to adapt to uncertainty, sur- prise, and change. It offers a millennial metaphor for the paradigm shift in public management. Futuring work What are global context and trajectory? The OECD proclaims that, “The future of work is now.” It is fostering solutions- oriented conversations across sectors and countries to build a better world of work for all. Three priorities stand out: 1. DIGITALIZATION. How can technol- ogy shape the future of work in a positive way? Machines are doing routine tasks tra- ditionally done by people. Due to big data, artificial intelligence, and ever-increasing computing power, complex tasks are be- coming automated. New jobs like robot trainer and digital ethics specialist are dif- ferent in job type and quality from those that are disappearing. • 14 per cent of jobs in OECD countries are highly automatable. • 32 per cent could face substantial chang- es in how they are carried out. 2. SKILLS AND LEARNING. How do we keep skills and learning relevant in the changing world of work? Changes in jobs mean changes in skillsets. Jobs that do not exist today require skills not yet conceived, along with life-long learning. But are those with the greatest needs getting trained? • More training goes to adults 25-53 who are employed with medium-high income and skills. • Less training goes to adults over 53 who are unemployed with low income and skills. 3. SOCIAL PROTECTION. How can we improve social protection so that ev- eryone benefits? More people have non- standard jobs, where they work part-time, have temporary contracts, or are self- employed as ‘gig’ workers. In many coun- tries, social benefits and collective bar- gaining assume that people have a stable, By John Wilkins If anyone has an immunity idol, and you want to play it, now would be the time. — JEFF PROBST, HOST OF SURVIVOR (2000-PRESENT)