The gap: closing the skill divide

By Mohammad Sayeed

"In 'The Gap - Closing the Skill Divide,' the author takes you on a transformative journey through the ever-shifting landscape of the modern job market. With wisdom, real-world insights, inspiring stories and actionable strategies, this book equips fresh graduates and mid-career professionals with the tools to bridge the gap between their aspirations and reality. Discover the power of adaptability, lifelong learning, and resilience, and transform your career prospects. It's time to step into your full potential and accomplish fulfilling professional life. Your remarkable career awaits within these pages."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book Basket Publishers
• Release date: Jan 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224291731

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Website: www.bookbasketpublishers.com

Copyright © 2024 Mohammad Sayeed

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by Indian copyright law.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the two young graduates who are close to my heart. Watching them grow, get graduated, and pursue their career, being fortunate to be part of that journey has not only given me tons of education but also the power of patience and the world of wisdom. This work is inspired by them, for them and for everyone out there who's on the career path, relentlessly working hard every single day to carve out an outstanding career and a fulfilling life.

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Acknowledgements

This work would be incomplete without acknowledging and thanking the people, whose support has been immense throughout this journey. I am sincerely grateful, and thankful for their support.

First, the people who have been extremely patient with me, burn some midnight oil with me and extend every possible support, that’s my family, your unconditional support in what I do is incomparable, I couldn’t have done this without your support.

I wouldn’t have finished this work in time without the due support, pressure and persuasion from my book writing coach, thank you Irfan for being there.

My reverent and earnest thanks to my siblings, their concurrence and cheerfulness in what I do, their unconditional support and encouragement at every stage are invaluable. Profoundly thankful for being with me all the time.

And I thank each and every individual who has inspired me in some way or other to take up this work.

With gratitude and appreciation

Sayeed

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Prologue

In an ever-evolving nature of human progress, and a never-ending chase for professional excellence, man is bound to encounter The Gap, the void between his dreams, aspirations and the reality. Every individual seeking a career, faces or must have faced this chasm and most often found it stumping.

Such gaps surface because of shifts in the market place and what you have, what you know, have either become insufficient, irrelevant or totally redundant. This can happen to you as a fresh graduate or through your midlife when your direction and relevance of your skills become questionable. Now, this is a battle of career fulfilment, which you are bound to face at some point or other and a battle that you ought to fight!

The reality is, the dynamics of the job market are ever advancing and are particularly fluid in the current rapidly changing technological advancements. What was very relevant a few months ago, could almost be irrelevant now, the skill-divide has become a daunting challenge for both freshers and seasoned professionals.

This book The Gap – Closing the skill divide attempts to address this vital gap through opinions, experiences, suggestions, and inspirational stories of perseverance, resilience and transformation. We will explore the subject from various angles, including the depth of the challenge, what could be done, who can do what and how it can be done.

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In a transformative journey, we will draw inspiration from the champions who refused to be defined by the limitations around them. We will explore tools, techniques and smarter means to, not just cover this gap but to have a flourishing career.

Welcome, let's explore The Gap – Closing the skill divide.

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Are your education, qualifications, and training, aligned seamlessly with your dreams and aspirations, empowering you to propel towards an accomplished future of boundless opportunities and fulfilled life?

What if you can get your inquisitiveness triggered with powerful questions? What if you can analyse the situation in depth and find most apposite answers to be able to make an informed and diligent decision every single time?

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The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn

– Alvin Toffler

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Chapter I

Introduction

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The world since the time we know is constantly evolving, thus if there's anything constant about life, that is Change itself! When the change is constant, so is almost everything that has relevance to human lives, the way we do things, the way we buy, sell, read, educate, work, earn and nearly everything has evolved to take a better, faster and efficient form. Thanks to COVID, the avalanche of change gained massive drive, impacting all walks of life across every social class.

Across the bustling cities and tranquil villages of this vast nation, every day millions of dreams are born and aspirations take flight, and the people desire to achieve those dreams, and have an accomplished life. However, the woeful truth is, there's a monster on the prowl, a chasm, a gap that’s insatiably devouring the hopes and ambitions of millions. It's not the geographical divide or any class division; it's in fact ‘the employability gap’, the significance of which the man is not able to comprehend, while in fact it's silently eroding the prospect of an almost entire generation.

Imagine life where your skills, education, qualifications, training and experiences are aligned seamlessly driving you to achieve your dreams and aspirations.

Every single individual dreams of having a fulfilled life! However, the truth is, for many, a lot of those dreams aren’t fulfilled, the doors of opportunity seem locked, and mediocrity takes over. You get so occupied with life's grind that there's hardly any realization to pay attention to what happened to those dreams, why you are stuck where you are and what's stopping you from living the life you desire.

This book offers you the key to unlocking those doors, this is your guide to closing that formidable gap. The Gap – Closing the Skill Divide is an invitation to step out of the shadows of mediocrity and into the radiant light of your own potential. It's a call to action for every stakeholder, an invite to transformation, and a unique opportunity for those willing to embrace change.

In the pages that follow, you will discover stories of individuals who, like you, faced the daunting employability gap head-on and emerged not just employable but truly exceptional. You will uncover the strategies, insights, and mindset shifts that can propel you from the point of stagnation to the pinnacle of success.

Undoubtedly the one sector that has seen dramatic revolution in recent times is education and employment. Regrettably, with many educational institutions acting as just production houses turning out thousands of graduates year after year, discussing the employability gap has never been so important. With a vivid dynamic shift in the process of knowledge acquisition, what we did, how we did a few years ago is at questionable relevance, the equations have changed completely. If you don’t strain to understand this change, fail to learn, adapt, apply and excel in professional and personal life, you will be left behind, with the danger of being pushed to downgraded life and maybe forced into living a mediocre or even a compromised life.

Are you ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment? Are you prepared to defy mediocrity, overcome the odds, and become a marvellous being in your own right? If so, turn the page, and let's begin this transformative adventure together. Your future, your success, and your extraordinary life await.

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A. Why This Book

This book is a conscious effort to highlight the process, challenges and opportunities that exist between an eager job-aspirant and a prospective employer. We will discuss the missed opportunities, untapped resources, unrealized potential, how we can act to bridge the gap and reap the benefits collectively.

This book is focused on addressing the skill-divide and how best to close it. The book provides valuable insights, strategies and advices that are practical and proven to bridge the gap effectively for individuals, educators and policymakers. By addressing this vital issue, the book aims to empower job seekers especially the youth with what is necessary to meet challenges on the way to a successful career, help prospective employers understand the perspective of the other side and how they can enable better outcomes and obligates all stakeholders of a collective approach towards a win-win outcome. At the least it's a humble guide for the jobseeker, employers, and all the stakeholders to enable better employability, competitiveness, right workforce and enhanced future prospects in the job market.

The book is guaranteed to stir up some critical thinking and provoke a thought process targeted to address one of the most critical aspects of socio-economic issues of the current times. It's bound to change your perception, enable you to be more prepared and empower you to make a more comprehensive judgement.

B. Why Now?

There's a tectonic shift in technology, its application on education, industrial sphere and employment and the importance of understanding, acquiring and applying new skills-set has never been so urgent, relevant and important!

As we stand on the precipice of change, as we see myriad possibilities, and the change taking place at a lightning speed, the time to equip yourself with the skills needed to be in the game and thrive, is NOW! And this book will dwell into various aspects of this revolutionary phase and show you how to make the most of these opportune moments.

We will cover everything that’s important including but not limited to:

Learn what's the gap and how the stakeholders can bridge that gap

Though it sounds simple and straightforward, the gap as you would discover through this book is multifaceted and even complex in nature. We will dissect and critically dwell in to every aspect of this conundrum.

How to Equip yourself with the required skills to secure a rewarding career

While the skills gap is a reality, acquiring these required skills has never been as widely possible as it is today. We will look at the role of Edu-tech companies in fulfilling this need.

Know what's depriving the stakeholders of useful talent and the rewards worthwhile

While we perceive and see the problem as it's shown, often the real issue could be much closer and easier to address than thought!

Changes to job market post pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about seismic shifts in the job market, reshaping the employment landscape in ways that will have lasting effects. These changes have a profound impact on the employability gap that we will be discussing in detail.

Certain industries like healthcare, e-commerce, and tech experienced growth, while others, such as travel and hospitality, faced significant challenges. Subsequently the job seekers have had to pivot their career options, sometimes forcing a dramatic shift.

The changes in the job market post-pandemic underscore the importance of proactive approach to skills development and staying updated.

Staying Relevant and Employable

Staying relevant and employable is not just an option, rather it's a necessity. This is crucial for addressing the employability gap. While there are numerous reasons as to why one should have a pragmatic approach to stay relevant, the development of AI alone has a massive impact on possible opportunities, employability and future prospects.

This is the only proactive approach to ensure a successful career and a fulfilling life. It's about taking control, investing in your growth, and ensuring you remain valuable, and a sought-after professional.

The speed and scale at which the landscape of work and employability is changing have created both challenges and opportunities. To thrive in this dynamic environment, individuals must embrace lifelong learning, adaptability, and a growth mindset. Employers and governments must also play a role in supporting the workforce through policies and initiatives that promote reskilling, upskilling, and economic inclusion. These changes will have profound and far-reaching impacts on individuals, businesses, and society as a whole and continue to shape the way we work and live for years to come.

Technological advancements:

Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace often resulting in a knowledge gap, while also leading to the automation of various job functions and the emergence of new industries and occupations. As a result, there is a growing disparity between the skills demanded by employers and the skills possessed by the workforce. Closing the skills gap is crucial to ensure that individuals are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in this digital age.

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Economic competitiveness:

A skilled workforce is essential for a nation's economic competitiveness in the global marketplace. Countries that have a large pool of skilled workers are more likely to attract investment, foster innovation, and experience higher levels of productivity and economic growth. By addressing the skills divide, countries can enhance their competitiveness and create more opportunities for their citizens.

Unemployment and underemployment:

The skills gap contributes to high levels of unemployment as well as a lot of underemployment. Job seekers often struggle to find suitable employment because they lack the skills demanded by employers. At the same time, employers face challenges in finding qualified candidates to fill job vacancies. Closing the skills gap can help reduce unemployment rates, enhance job prospects, and promote economic stability.

Inclusive growth and social mobility:

The skills divide can exacerbate social inequalities and hinder social mobility. Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds or marginalized communities may face barriers in accessing quality education and skill development opportunities. By closing the skills gap, societies can promote inclusive growth, reduce income inequality, and provide individuals with the tools they need to improve their socio-economic status.

Future-proofing the workforce:

The skills needed in the job market are continuously evolving due to technological advancements and changing industry trends. To ensure that the workforce remains adaptable and resilient, it is crucial to bridge the skills gap and foster a culture of lifelong learning. This enables individuals to acquire new skills, update their knowledge, and remain employable in the face of rapid change.

Innovation and entrepreneurship:

Closing the skills divide can foster an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship. Skilled individuals are more likely to engage in entrepreneurial activities, create innovative solutions, and drive economic growth. By investing in skills development, societies can cultivate a culture of innovation and enable individuals to become active participants in shaping the future.

Closing the skills divide is a pressing need in today’s rapidly changing technological advancement and constantly evolving world. By prioritizing skills development, societies can unlock the potential of individuals and build a prosperous and sustainable future.

C. Who is this for?

This book is for starters aiming for a great take-off to their aspiring career, this book is for all working professionals who are subdued, stuck and just scraping through a mediocre life, and enduring the jinx of midlife-crisis. More importantly, it's for all those champions who refuse to settle for less, who believe in personal growth, and know the importance of investing their time and resources to transform themselves from being mediocre to marvellous beings. Whether you're in your early 20s or pushing 40s, if you have the desire to break free from mediocrity, leap forward to a competent life, and leave a legacy of success, this book is the roadmap you are looking for!

This book would be an interesting read and important document for all those responsible in policy making, government officials, educators, academicians, institutions, business thought leaders, employers, parents, and concerned citizens.

The book provides insights into the skills gap and its implications for the economy, helping policymakers understand the importance of investing in education, training programs and formulating effective policies to bridge the skills divide and promote economic growth.

It can serve as a resource for educators, administrators, and academic institutions in designing and delivering educational programs and the curriculum aligned with the needs of the job market and equip students with the skills required for future employment.

Employers and business leaders can gain valuable insights from the book to understand the skills gap and its impact on their industry. It can help them identify skill shortages, design effective talent acquisition strategies, and develop training programs to upskill their workforce.

The book provides guidance and awareness to job seekers and employees who are navigating the changing job market. It can help them understand the skills in demand, identify areas for skill development, and make informed decisions regarding career choices and professional development.

The book offers a comprehensive understanding of the skills divide, its causes, and potential solutions,