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영어

For more than two centuries, the world has experienced massive changes that have affected how we all live and work. First came the movement of peoples from foraging to farming, from agrarian to industrial, and from rural to urban. At a faster rate of development, the second revolution made mechanical power and mass production the norm. Then less than 50 years ago, the world was introduced to digital technology, automation, personal computers, and the internet. Now we have entered the fourth industrial revolution, where such phenomena as robotics, 3D printing, and massive virtual communities have encroached upon our lives. The implications for humankind are vast. While interest abounds in figuring out new technologies, we have been reminded by Klaus Schwab that “all of these new technologies are first and foremost tools made by people for people”. An important aspect of the fourth dimension is the need for human development through vocational education and training. Curricula, credentialing, social skills development, and public-private collaboration locally and globally are critical to preparing the current and next generations of the workforce with adequate 21st century skills.