This document discusses the need for upskilling and reskilling workers during the COVID-19 economic crisis. It notes that the skills gap is increasing and jobless rates could reach 30% due to the pandemic's economic impact. While recessions typically increase enrollment in education, people may be unwilling to enroll in long-term programs given current uncertainty. The document argues that now is the critical time for upskilling, as 54% of the workforce will need reskilling in the next 5 years. Barriers to learning like lack of time have been reduced as people work from home with more flexible hours. A new learning model is proposed that combines working and learning time through sabbaticals and lifelong learning.

1. UPSKILLING IN
THE NEW
REALITY
DAVID BLAKE • CEO OF LEARN IN • MARCH 2020

2. THE FUTURE OF
WORK STUDIOS
➜ ➜

3. TIME
RATEOFCHANGE
WE ARE HERE
SKILLS GAP
TECHNOLOGY
THE SKILLS GAP IS INCREASING
Credit: Thomas L. Friedman

4. JOBLESS RATES
AS HIGH AS
GDP CONTRACTION IN
DOUBLE DIGITS
LOST INCOME
UP TO
+20%30% $2.1tr
COVID-19: UNPRECEDENTED ECONOMIC IMPACT
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-22/fed-s-bullard-says-u-s-jobless-rate-may-soar-to-30-in-2q

5. EDUCATION IS COUNTER-CYCLICAL
1967 2024Recession periods Percentage change
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12ANNUALPERCENTAGECHANGE

6. “Although recessions have historically
resulted in increased enrollment in higher
education programs, there is no guarantee
this time around. Given the uncertainty
around the length of this recession, and the
availability of short-term ‘bootcamp’ like
programs, people may be unwilling to
enroll in longer (and often costlier)
programs.”
- DOUG LYNCH, University of Southern California

7. THIS IS THE MOMENT
54%
of the workforce will require
significant upskilling and
reskilling
within the next five years
80%
of both L&D and business
leaders
believe we need more
innovation
in learning and development
World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs
Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning, State of Leadership Development

8. THERE HAS NEVER
BEEN A MORE
IMPORTANT TIME
TO UPSKILL

9. UPSKILLING IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO
$30,000+MID LEVEL ENGINEER
UPSKILLING AN INTERNAL EMPLOYEE
COSTS <½ HIRING
AVERAGE HIRING COSTS
CEO’S REPORT ON UPSKILLING
CULTURALLY FINANCIALLY
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
INNOVATION
PRODUCTIVITY
RETENTION
↑ 25%
↑ 51%
↑ 31%
↑ 52%
PWC GLOBAL CEO SURVEY 2020 JOSH BERSIN BUILD V. BUY 2019

10. TIME, THE #1 IMPEDIMENT HAS BEEN ALLEVIATED
#1 REASON
EMPLOYEES FEEL HELD BACK FROM LEARNING IS
BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE THE TIME
WORKING
FROM HOME
MORE FLEXIBLE
WORK HOURS
NO TIME
COMMUTING
NEW FREE TIME
RECESSION DECREASED DEMAND
+

11. Q: What are your biggest obstacles to job-related learning or
professional development?
0%
11%
14%
19%
20%
22%
30%
30%
43% I don't have (or make) the time to learn
Lack of guidance or direction in learning
My company doesn't recognize or reward learning
My manager doesn't encourage or enable learning
I am overwhelmed by too many choices
The learning at work is not engaging
The learning at work is not relevant
I don't know where to find learning opportunities at work
I am not interested in learning more
Degreed + Harvard Business Publishing, How the Workforce Learns, 4/2019

12. THE NEW LEARNING MODEL
WORKING TIME
LEARNINGTIME
FULL TIME
STUDENT
FULL TIME
PROFESSIONAL
EXECUTIVE
EDUCATION
WORKING
STUDENT
NEW NORMAL
THE OLD REALITY: TRADE OFF THE NEW REALITY:
LEARNING SABBATICALS & LIFELONG LEARNING
WORKING TIME
LEARNING TIME

13. LEARNIN .COM
BORN TO BUILD THE FUTURE
OF LEARNING SABBATICALS
& UPSKILLING

14. INNOVATIVE FINANCING PROGRAMS: ISA’s

15. TIME ALLOCATION: SABBATICALS & PART-TIME

16. PRECISION ALLOCATION & TRACK ROI

17. LAUNCHING IN
JUNE WITH PARTNER
PROGRAMS

18. IN TIMES OF CHANGE IT'S
LEARNERS WHO INHERIT THE
EARTH, WHILE THE LEARNED
FIND THEMSELVES BEAUTIFULLY
EQUIPPED FOR A WORLD THAT
NO LONGER EXISTS.
“
- ERIC HOFFER

19. david@learnin.com