The document proposes a 4-step solution to convey how the nature of work is changing: 1) Engage government officials to explain the changing nature of work and gain support. 2) Create a multi-stakeholder team representing different groups to educate others. 3) Evaluate the trainings conducted by the team. 4) Use additional methods like media to further disseminate information. Governments can prepare workforces by investing in education to acquire new skills, improving social protections, and raising revenue to support human capital and social programs.

1. 2. A proposed solution which can convey how the nature of work is changing and what
your country/sector governments can do to prepare and support their workforces.
The dawn of the digital era presents a unique
turning point for emerging economies such as
Zimbabwe to bridge the gap with advanced
economies. Historically, such turning points
(like the introduction of machines during
industrialization) would envelope people with
fear for loss of employment. However, it
traceable that such turning points have more
gains than losses if necessary interventions
are put in place. Likewise, automation and
digital technology will realize more benefits
to human kind than disruption.

2. But just how is the nature of work changing?
The effects of technological advancement can
be identified in two ways. Firstly, technological
progress has brought about new business
models that redefine organizational boundaries
and how work is done. Secondly, technology is
also redefining the skills required at the
workplace. Advanced cognitive skills, socio-
behavioural skills and skills associated with
greater adaptability are now on the rise as they
have qualities that cannot be replicated by
technological advancements such as robots.

3. A proposed solution which can convey how the nature of work is changing
My proposed solution to convey how the
nature of work is changing comes in a 4-
step-process that aims to develop a multi -
stakeholder or multi - disciplinary team to
disseminate information in a systematic or
methodical manner.

4. A proposed solution which can convey how the nature of work is changing
Step 1: Enlighten the Government on the
changing nature of work to secure buy-in.
First and foremost, the proposed solution
entails writing a detailed letter and engaging in
face-to-face-meetings with relevant
Government officials to enlighten them on the
changing nature work. Such an initiative helps
secure buy-in from Government as it is a critical
stakeholder in finding and implementing
solutions to the nature of changing work. In
addition, engaging Government officials help
provide a platform to influence policy decisions
and gain easy access to citizens.

5. A proposed solution which can convey how the nature of work is changing
Step 2: Create and train a multi-stakeholder
team to educate those within their spheres
of influence on the changing nature of
work.
A diverse team drawing key and relevant
persons should be identified and trained with
the intention of the selected persons to train
others within their spheres of influence on the
changing nature of work. The team may include
education officials, Trade Unions, National
Employment Councils, Government Ministries,
Employers’ Representatives, Members of
Parliament, human resources practitioners,
healthcare workers, community leaders etc.

6. A proposed solution which can convey how the nature of work is changing
Step 3: Evaluate the trainings done by the
multi - stakeholder team
Trained members of the multi – stakeholder
team are sent back to their respective areas of
influence to also train others on the changing
nature of work. For example, Trade Unions
train their membership on the changing
nature of work. However, each training ought
to be evaluated to ascertain its effectiveness.
This primarily includes getting feedback from
participants just after the training.

7. A proposed solution which can convey how the nature of work is changing
Step 4: Use other complementary
methods to disseminate information
To complement the trainings of the multi-
stakeholder team, other methods can be
simultaneously run to disseminate
information on the changing nature of work.
These include making use of print and
electronic media to write articles in the
newspaper, getting a slot on the local radio
and television amongst others. Presentations
can be made in schools, workshops, business
forums amongst other relevant gatherings.

8. What the country / sector Government can do to prepare and support the workforce
With specific reference to emerging countries,
there are specific interventions that the
Government can do to prepare and support the
workforce and these are:
Invest in human capital – But how?
Firstly, there is need to prepare the workforce by
disseminating information on the changing nature
of work in order to demystify some of the
misconceptions on the effects of technological
progress.
Thereafter, the workforce can be encouraged to
undertake adult learning programs so that they
acquire new skills to adapt.

9. What the country / sector Government can do to prepare and support the workforce
b. Improve social protection – there is need
to come up with an assured social minimum,
a strong social insurance and reform the
labour market. Noteworthy, workers in the
informal sector should also have social
protection.

10. What the country / sector Government can do to prepare and support the workforce
c. Find ways to raise revenue – To finance
investments in human capital and social
protection, revenue should be raised by
levying those who are well-off and the
informal sector which is experiencing a boom
at present.