The future of work for Dubai students: How to converge dreams with reality

Every parent strives to drive their children to dream big, follow their passions and encourage them toward a career they will love. But it’s no secret that when we fast forward to the future, it’s clear to see that today’s learners will be looking for jobs in a dramatically different landscape.

So what measures are in place today to prepare students for the uncertain workforce of tomorrow?

To learn more, Mother Baby and Child reached out to Graeme Scott, Director at Fairgreen International School, a future-forward sustainable school located in The Sustainable City, Dubai.

“By the time our students graduate from college, they will be applying for positions that don’t yet exist. According to researchers at the ​Institute for the Future (IFTF)​, an independent, 50-year old nonprofit think tank, 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t even been created yet,” shared Mr. Scott.

“In a recent study, IFTF partnered with Dell Technologies to explore the impact that robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, virtual reality and augmented reality, and cloud computing will have on society by 2030. The results revealed that these technologies, enabled by significant advances in software, will underpin the formation of new human-machine partnerships and bring forth a variety of jobs we couldn’t have even dreamed of in our own childhood.

“Automation, the gig economy, climate change and emerging technologies have already begun to alter our work realty. Today’s workers must be able to keep up with technology and adapt to change rapidly. Employers, now more than ever, place enormous value on creativity and adaptability in their employees. Our children must be prepared to be pioneers in entirely new careers with imaginative titles, such as: Augmented Reality Journey Builder, Wind Energy Worker, Cyber City Analyst, Bio-Printing Engineer, Personal Data Broker, Virtual Store Sherpa, Genomic Portfolio Director and Agroecological Farmer. These are just a mere few of the new jobs that analysts predict will exist in the future.

“Fortunately for us living in the UAE, we are raising our children in an ideal environment, ripe with innovation and investment in new technologies. Earlier this year, at Dubai’s Annual Investment Meeting (AIM 2019), it was announced that Dubai had attracted more than $21 billion of foreign direct investment (FDI) for artificial intelligence and robotics projects between 2015 and 2018, ranking first globally in attracting FDI for AI. Our children have incredible future opportunities here in Dubai, which will undoubtedly remain a global hub for innovation and careers in emerging technologies.

“As parents and educators, we have a responsibility to try to influence our children to develop passions that will converge with the unique jobs landscape that awaits. How can we encourage our children to live authentically, yet gear them toward a future work life that aligns with their aptitudes, skills, and interests?

“Instilling an appreciation for innovation will be one of the key drivers for future success. Some children find their passion early in life and should be encouraged to pursue it, others take much longer and may not even discover their passion until adulthood. All students however should be encouraged to be curious and try something new on a regular basis. Too often, education can channel students down a particular route, from which there is no return. We just have to hope that they enjoy it and things turn out right. At Fairgreen, we aim to provide multiple pathways for our students to explore their interests, curiosities and passions. We will encourage them along the way, support where we can, and enjoy watching them grow and flourish.”

Details: Find further guidance at the next Open Day at Fairgreen International School on Wednesday, October 30 at 8.30 a.m. Director Graeme Scott will present a talk on ‘Jobs that Don’t Exist Yet: How to Prepare for Them?’ Come learn how to guide your children for the jobs evolution already underway.  ​Click here to register.