Critical to prepare youngsters for changing world of work

THE EDITOR, Madam:
Life has always moved in cycles. One generation builds, serves, leads, and eventually retires, the next generation then steps forward to continue the work. 
But, today, that cycle demands closer examination. As experienced workers retire at 60, 65, or beyond, the question is whether the next generation is being prepared not only to occupy those spaces, but to perform, lead, produce, and sustain them.
The World Economic Forum projects that 22 per cent of jobs will be disrupted by 2030, with 170 million new roles created and 92 million displaced. It also warns that nearly 40 per cent of job skills are expected to change. In Jamaica, the October 2024 Labour Force Survey reported youth unemployment at 11 per cent, while 108,900 young people, or 22.2 per cent of youths, were not employed, enrolled in education, or participating in training.
At the same time, social media has become one of the strongest influences on how young people define success. Jamaica recorded 1.81 million active social media user identities in October 2025, equivalent to 63.8 per cent of the population. Social media has created entrepreneurs, educators, marketers, content creators, and new pathways for learning and income.
Digital influence, while valuable, cannot replace the workers needed to operate factories, maintain equipment, manage warehouses, supervise production lines, ensure quality control, drive logistics, support agriculture, and strengthen manufacturing.
If too many young people are pulled mainly toward social media-driven income and away from technical, industrial, and production-based careers, where will the manufacturing and industrial sectors be tomorrow? 
Some may argue that AI and robotics can fill the gap. While these technologies may increase speed, precision, and productivity, they cannot remove the need for human capability. Machines still require people to operate, maintain, repair, supervise, programme, secure, and improve them. The future of manufacturing and industry will depend on how well people are prepared to work with technology.
Many young people are talented, creative, ambitious, and adaptable. The challenge is for the systems responsible for preparing them: families, schools, employers, training institutions, and governments. What is needed now is a national commitment to mentorship, technical training, apprenticeships, work experience, and succession planning, before the workforce gap becomes a productivity crisis.

RENÉE WATKIS