The program is by invitation only. If you would like to register, please email Ms. Mayelle Rarugal at [email protected].

The Asia Pacific region is home to nearly 60 percent of the world’s population, including seven of the world’s ten most populous countries and some of the world’s smallest island nations. It is also the global leader in employing robots for manufacturing, with an estimated 65 percent of the world’s total industrial robot usage. As a region known for its low-cost and low-skilled labor – “the factory to the world” –, Asia Pacific will likely be facing socio-economic challenges, as a growing number of displaced workers seek employment. However, the trend toward automation and digitization is also introducing significant opportunities in the region. It is imperative that employers, policymakers, educators and civil society work together to confront the new socio-economic realities that accompany the region’s digital transformation. The forum contextualizes the most recent developments shaping the future of work in Asia Pacific, and brings together key public, private and civil society leaders who are thinking and acting strategically and at scale to ensure that the workforce of the future is an inclusive one.

SHARING SESSION I | Unleashing the Potential of Inclusive Growth in the Future of Work: Findings from Research and the Field

As automation advances demand for higher cognitive skills, such as creativity, critical thinking and decision making, work requiring basic data input, processing and cognitive skills, and general equipment operation is on the decline, impacting especially the disadvantaged. This session highlights developments proving to be effective in tackling the challenge of equipping a diverse labor force with skills they need to succeed.

• Jordi Prat Tuca, Technical Officer, Enterprise Development & Skills, International Labour Organization
• Boris Van, Associate Partner, Manila, McKinsey & Company
• Anthony Abad, Founding Partner, Abad Alcantara & Associates (Moderator)

Panel I | The Future of Work Ecosystem: Aligning Supply and Demand for an Inclusive Labor Market

In the Asia Pacific region, it is becoming increasingly clear that policies advocating for further expansion of higher academic education are not bearing fruit in the labor market, as employers continue to be concerned with present talent shortages. As accelerated digital transformation disrupts traditional skills training models, this session explores innovative delivery models and platforms that promote cross-sector collaboration to respond to the demands of the future of work.

• Charles Bodwell, Enterprises Development Specialist, Decent Work Technical Support Team, East and Southeast Asia and Pacific, International Labour Organization
• Atul Harkisanka, Regional Sales Leader, Talent Solutions, LinkedIn
• Monchito Ibrahim, Undersecretary, Department of Information and
  Communications Technology
• Shekhar Shah, Director General, National Council of Applied Economic Research
• Cathy Yang, Business Journalist, ANC (Moderator)

SHOWCASE | School to Work::Work to School

Preparing for the future of work requires deeper and more agile engagement between the education sector and industry, and this integration must be bi-directional. The Education Development Center presents a case study of one such reciprocal partnership, and explores its potential to create an agile, resilient talent pipeline and transcend cultural norms that can hinder equitable, inclusive employment.

• Antolin "Lenlen" Oreta III, Mayor, Malabon City
• Thamonwan Poramathikun, Teacher, Chiang Mai Technical College
• Grace Salim, Vice Chief, MKPI and PR, Lippo Group
• Rebecca J. Stoeckle, Vice President, Education Development Center (Moderator) 

Panel II | Reskilling and Upskilling: Reinventing Education and Training for the Workforce of the Future

The International Data Corporation forecasts that, by 2021, 60 percent of Asia Pacific’s GDP will stem from digital products or services driven by digital transformation. While those who have in-demand skills are afforded greater leverage in the labor market, those from disadvantaged backgrounds without sought-after skills struggle to find their footing. The session examines different approaches and models to skilling for the future, especially when it comes to helping the underserved thrive in high-growth industries.

• Sabina Brady, Board Trustee, Bainian Vocational School
• Michael Fung, Deputy Chief Executive, Industry, Chief Human Resources & Chief Data Officer, SkillsFuture Singapore
• Mark Keese, Head, Skills and Employability Division, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
• Rosanna Urdaneta, Deputy Director General, Technical Education &
  Skills Development Authority
• Quintin Pastrana, Anchor, ABS-CBN News Channel (Moderator)

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