Lifelong Learning for an AI-Driven Labour Market

Brief Context

Context The International Labour Organization (ILO) in its report has called on governments to make lifelong learning a central pillar of economic and social policy amid rapid technological and structural changes in labour markets. What is Lifelong Learning? Lifelong learning refers to the continuous acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies throughout an individual’s life.

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Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) in its report has called on governments to make lifelong learning a central pillar of economic and social policy amid rapid technological and structural changes in labour markets.

What is Lifelong Learning?

• Lifelong learning refers to the continuous acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies throughout an individual’s life. It includes:
  • Formal education and vocational training.
  • Informal learning through work experience and digital platforms.
  • Continuous reskilling and upskilling to adapt to changing labour markets.

Key Findings of the ILO Report

• Inequalities in Learning Opportunities: Informal workers, low-income groups, women, and less-educated individuals have significantly lower access to training opportunities.
  • The report highlights a widening “learning divide” between formal and informal sectors.
• Overemphasis on Formal Education: Existing policies focus excessively on initial formal education while neglecting continuous skill development throughout life.
• Access Gap: Only 16% of people aged 15–64 participated in structured training during the 12 months preceding the survey.
  • Nearly 51% of full-time permanent workers employed in formal sector firms received employer-provided training.

Why is Lifelong Learning Becoming Important?

• Technological Transformation: Rapid digitalisation and the spread of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are transforming traditional occupations and creating new skill requirements.
  • Automation is expected to replace repetitive and low-skill tasks, increasing demand for advanced cognitive and digital skills.
• Green Transition: The shift towards renewable energy, sustainable industries, and climate-resilient economies is generating new employment sectors.
  • Workers require new technical and environmental skills to adapt to green jobs.
• Demographic Changes: Aging populations in many countries and youth-heavy populations in developing nations are reshaping labour supply dynamics.
  • Lifelong learning helps older workers remain employable and enables youth to meet evolving industry needs.
• Changing Nature of Work: Gig economy, remote work, and platform-based employment require workers to continuously upgrade their competencies.

Key Government Initiatives

• Skill India Mission aims to train millions of youth in industry-relevant skills focusing on improving employability and bridging the skill gap.
• Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS): Offers vocational training to non-literates, neo-literates, and school dropouts, focusing on rural, women, and marginalized communities.
• National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): Promotes apprenticeship by offering financial support for apprentice stipends. Training includes both basic and on-the-job/practical training in industries.
• PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): It is the flagship skill certification scheme launched under the Skill India Mission to enhance employability among youth.
  • It seeks to provide industry-relevant short-term training, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and special projects.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has recommended integration of vocational education into mainstream education in all educational institutions.

What are the Challenges?

• Digital Divide: Unequal access to internet connectivity and digital infrastructure limits participation in online learning.
• Informal Workforce: In countries like India, a large informal workforce lacks institutional support for training and reskilling.
• Financial Constraints: High training costs discourage participation among vulnerable populations.
• Institutional Fragmentation: Lack of coordination between governments, educational institutions, and industries weakens skill ecosystems.
• Rapid Skill Obsolescence: Technological change is making existing skills outdated at a faster pace.

ILO Recommendations

• Inclusive Learning Systems: Ensure affordable and accessible training for women, informal workers, rural populations, and vulnerable groups.
• Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between governments, industries, and educational institutions can align training with labour market needs.
• Flexible Learning Models: Encourage modular courses, online education, micro-credentials, and workplace learning.
• Social Protection: Social security systems should support workers during periods of retraining and job transitions.

Source: TH