News

The changing nature of work and skills in the digital age

The report provides new research and data for the EU on:

• the interplay between new technologies, jobs, and work organisation
• the extent and nature of work mediated by digital labour platforms
• the structural change in labour markets

 

It describes:

• new form of works that are emerging,
• the different evolution of the labour market across regions
• the skills and competences that will be needed in the future job market.

 

It adds to the discussion:

• the challenges and opportunities that the changing nature of work represents for the EU
• how people and education systems should develop skills for the future.

 

Key Findings:

 

New technologies will reshape millions of jobs in the EU

• Millions of jobs are at risk because of automation. Especially, those that involve routine tasks.
• Technology creates new types of jobs. But it is difficult to predict where and how many.
• Digital technologies also change what people do on the job, and how they do it.

 

Digital and non-cognitive skills (communication, planning, teamwork, …) are increasingly necessary to seize emerging job opportunities

• Jobs requiring a combination of  digital and non-cognitive skills (communication, planning, teamwork…) tend to be better paid than others.
• Employers seek team-workers who can adapt to change and are open to learning.
• Most occupations that grew in the EU since 2011 are rich in social interactions and require above-average ICT skills.  

 

Technology is a key driver of new forms of work

• Technology provides incentives for employers to outsource work. It enables workers to work remotely and in novel structures.
• Platform work and other atypical forms of employment are growing in the EU, involving many young people and highly educated workers.
• Platform work is a clear example of how digital transformation offers new job opportunities. But it creates challenges for workers and policy makers.
• International competition, outsourcing, and the rise of digital labour platforms can generate fragmented and short-lived jobs. 

 

The employment landscape is evolving differently across the EU, widening the gap between regions

• Beyond technological change, many other factors shape the evolution of the employment landscape. For example, economic structures and labour market institutions.
• Highly urbanised areas show a much larger share of high-paid jobs.
• The employment structure of peripheral European regions remains far from converging to the core.