Regional Asia-Pacific Conference: : Mitigating Future Skills Gaps: Progressing Into a Digital World of Work

July 16 and 17, 2024, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The forward-looking theme of this year’s Conference is ‘Mitigating Future Skills Gaps: Progressing Into a Digital World of Work’. WAPES and PERKESO will mark another significant milestone from all PES’s countries discussion on empowering labour market stakeholders as well as thriving an increasingly digitalised world.

The global workforce is in the midst of seismic change as digitization permeates all aspects of industry and commerce. Technological advances are redefining roles and workflows, while creating opportunities and challenges for workers. The conference aims to delve into these complexities, offering insights and solutions to bridge the gap between the promises and pitfalls of digitization, through the three thematic sessions described below:

1. Helping workers cope with the promises and pitfalls of digitization

The promise of digitization lies in its potential to improve productivity, efficiency and innovation. However, it also presents challenges such as job displacement, skills obsolescence and intensifying competition. According to the World Economic Forum, half the world’s workforce may need to be retrained in the next two years, and 1.1 billion jobs will be transformed by technology over the next decade. This discussion will explore strategies to help workers adapt to the digital landscape while mitigating the risks of job displacement and skills mismatch.

2. Promoting digital literacy and education

Digital literacy is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for participation in the modern workforce; however, according to PwC, 75% of decision-makers in Asia-Pacific countries are concerned that their respective workforces are falling behind in the race to acquire digital skills This session will focus on initiatives to promote digital literacy and education, including the development of curricula, training programs and lifelong learning opportunities. By equipping people with the necessary digital skills, we can give them the means to thrive in the digital economy.

3. Digital tools to meet the needs of disadvantaged groups

Despite the transformative potential of digitization, some groups, such as low-income earners, minorities and people with disabilities, face barriers that prevent them from accessing and benefiting from digital tools and technologies. The International Labour Organization reports that vulnerable populations are at greater risk of being left behind in the digital transformation. This session will explore innovative approaches and inclusive technologies designed to meet the specific needs of disadvantaged groups, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.

Through these discussions, the conference aims to catalyze collaborative efforts between policymakers, employers and educators to mitigate digital skills gaps and foster inclusive growth in an increasingly digital world of work.

The working language of the conference will be English.

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Programme

July 16, 2024

2. Dr. Imane Belmati
WAPES President • Managing Director, ANAPEC Morocco

Ms. Makiko Matsumoto
Employment Specialist, ILO DWT-ROAP Bangkok, Thailand

Presentations:

1.H.E. Mrs. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK
Director-General, SESRIC

2.Mr. Jerome Papa Lucas
Department’s Bureau of Local Employment, Philippines

3. En Azirruan bin Ariffin
PERKESO, Malaysia

Ms Havva Huseynli
Head of the International Partnership Division, APEA Azerbaijan

Presentations:

Toghrul Alakbarov
Head of the Central Career Branch, APEA Azerbaijan

Nik Naharuddin Mohd Nasir
Head of Digital Talent & Entrepreneurship, Digital Industry Acceleration Division. Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)

Ms Havva Huseynli
Head of the International Partnership Division, APEA Azerbaijan

Presentations:

1. Dr. Ram Raj Gopal
Director, Innovation & Strategy Airasia Academy

2. Dr. Jasmine Begum
Director of Legal, Corporate & Government Affairs, Microsoft ASEAN and New Markets

July 17, 2024

Ms. Barbora Novotna Svojse
Partnership Officer, WAPES Executive Secretariat

Presentations:

1. Ms. Sereyvorlak Hang
Deputy Director-General, NEA Cambodia

2.Maj Prof. Dr. R. Logeswaran A/L N Rajasvaran
Dean, Faculty of Computing and Digital Technology Help University

Ms. Barbora Novotna Svojse
Partnership Officer, WAPES Executive Secretariat

Presentations:

1. Ms. Takasaki Minako
Deputy Director of the Employment Security Bureau, MHLW Japan

2. Dr. Lee Sang-Hyeon
Research Fellow, KEIS Korea

• Visits at Menara PERKESO Putrajaya
• Tour of prominent locations in Putrajaya
• Cruise and dinner at Marina Putrajaya

Departure to Intercontinental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur