January 31, 2006 1:05 PM

Jobs of the future: the view from Davos
Posted by Douglas Eisenhartat 1:05 PM

At the 2006 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this past week, US Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao spoke in a session on "Jobs of the Future":

"The greatest challenge is investment in human capital," said Elaine L. Chao, US Secretary of Labor. "Eighty percent of new jobs require some understanding of computers." Her concerns included the way benefit plans can reduce job mobility. "You have to stay with a company for 30 years to gain the full benefits, but the average US worker has had nine jobs through their own choice. The portability of benefits is a very important tool."

Another panel member, David Arkless of giant temp worker firm Manpower, USA, had a different concern:

"We need electricians, plumbers, infrastructure workers and higher-level production workers. We have to persuade children that in the future getting a vocational degree will be as important as getting an academic qualification. We have to make these sorts of jobs, which make cities work, look valuable and feel valuable."

To read more of the conference proceedings and learn about the ultra-high-powered participant group - from Bill Clinton to Bill Gates, Tony Blair, and on down the list - visit the Forum's website.