Introduction
The world has witnessed various changes and transformation prior to reaching its current stage. The contemporary changes in the world’s social, political, and economic aspects has to a large extent modified and affected people’s way of living. The 21st century is not exceptional from these changes. Despite having positive impacts to human development, global transformation has also played a critical role in advancing world’s economic and social development. In this respect, education has played an essential role in facilitating modern changes and development. Particularly, education has been essential in developing people’s skills that has enhanced modern globalization. Authors from various professionals’ background have however, presented different arguments regarding the role of education in modern changes and globalization. The subsequent synthesis therefore, explores views and ideas of different scholars toward the role and impact of education in modern changes and globalization.
In the article “work and workers in the twenty-first century” Richard and carol (17) observed that the importance of the American’s economic and social development initiative is to establish a policy that can enable the country attain its objectives. Moreover, Richard and Carol argue for the need introducing of a policy that would facilitate radical and essential changes in the country social and economic transformation (Judy, 1997, p.313). The scholars assert that the issue on education has often encountered endless challenges ranging from racial to gender discrimination (Richard and Carol 17). These challenges have therefore, significantly affected smooth economic and social transformation in modern world (Judy 315). Furthermore, education should have the capability of ensuring that the students have essential skills required in modern economic development. This is necessarily vital in the modern dynamic world that demands high levels of creativity (Judy 316).
In the book, “Untouchables” by Friedman, the authors have explored the significant of globalization in modern changes and economic transformation. Friedman has examined the significant of having knowledge of basic skills for successful performance in today’s global economic development. As described by Friedman, the introduction of the technological advancement and the knowledge of the significant of outsourcing the resources are some of the most critical aspects that have facilitated modern social and economic development. In his argument, Friedman emphasizes the importance of having the required skills in order to be in a position of facing the challenges that characterizes the modern world. Friedman asserts that in order to realize the intended social and economic transformation, modern education systems should have the capability of producing competent and capable professionals (Friedman 317).
It is indisputable that people need to have diverse and exceptional skills especially of the modern economic and social development in order to succeed in the current market that is highly competitive. In this context, education should empower the students with the knowledge of exploring the framework that defines the modern market. Friedman furthers observes that for modern organizations to attain their objectives, leaders should have the required skills and competence. This means that equipping leaders in modern institutions with the required skills by encouraging them to go through strategic training would be essential in facilitating modern development and transformations. However, contemporary training institutions ought to digitalize their training equipments in order to adjust to changes in modern market.
In his argument, Alan Blinder outlines that the major challenges are likely to face the future labor force in developed and developing countries. According to Alan Blinder, the major challenges that are expected to be witnessed by future generation are lack of the required skills in the labor market and insufficient job opportunities due to emerge of modern technological development (Blinder 8). Blinder insists that the increasing demand for labor has taken a different direction in various countries. For example, employers presently prefer highly qualified and experienced professionals who have demonstrated their ability of achieving the organization goals and objectives (Blinder 9). Globalization in modern markets have on the other hand, significantly transformed the job requirement in modern labor market. Currently, professionals are opting to work in economies that offer them attractive compensation. In his argument, Blinder also encourages students to engage in technical training (Blinder 10).
Catherine (323) also support the arguments presented by scholar who emphasize the vital role of education in the modern world by noting education plays a fundamental role in creation of the labor force market. The scholar is keen to note that education sector is critical in facilitating modern transformation and development. She highlights that researchers and scholars are very essential players in promoting modern changes and social development. Catherine prompts a unique argument by stating that despite playing an important role in facilitating modern development, education system in many countries has failed to provide prominent and skilled professionals who can compete in the modern market (Catherine 322). She observes that the introduction of new technology to replace the human labor is essential because it leads to creation of additional employment opportunities. In essence, the use of machinery has not only improved the level of production, but also reduced the production costs, which has enabled entrepreneurs to attain their goals in their businesses (Catherine 322).
Furthermore, Peterson claims that in the 21st century, the biggest losers are the uneducated employees. Those who have skills in the five major professions, engineering, medicine, law, business, technology, and services ought to be the greatest beneficiaries. This is because these professions are highly relevant in the modern world that is essentially driven by technology. For example, Engineering deals with new inventions and can help in facilitating technological development. Other professions such as business have on the other hand become a essential professions in modern market economy is they empower entrepreneurs with essential skill for navigating in the corporate world. Despite being essential in facilitating economic development, every sector in modern market requires business skills and professionals (Peterson 328). It therefore, becomes apparent that having a College degree is an important resource of personal development. In reference to the modern market status, additional skills have proved to be extremely effective in advancing individual possibilities of getting employment opportunities.
Bureau of Labor Statistics that is part of a government body explores projections on the changing workforce statistics in America in the next hundred years. The agency argues that education is the most important element that increases the chances of securing employment opportunities. Employees acquire skills through training and consistent practicing. As the labor, demand becomes more complicated more people will be forced to engage in intensive training in order to get employment in modern sectors (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2014).
Furthermore, the Bureau projects that in the next hundred years the nature of workplace will be very different and complicated. This is because a good number of organizations are likely to break away from the tradition way of operating in one office, region, or country. Through globalization, one can effectively work for an organization situated in another country. The issue of workforce diversity will be at an advanced stage. Organizations will be employing staff from various countries races, religions, and social status. Staff will no longer have to work under the same roof because they can operate through the work group-computing concept whereby different employees can work on the same assignment but from different locations (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016).
Studies have as well confirmed that, the economic recession adversely affected employment not only in United States of America but also in other parts of the world. It led to retrenchment of most employees with an aim to reducing management and operational cost. In addition, most of outsourced jobs are those that require special skills and expertise. Workers can therefore adjust to the ever-changing employment trends by undergoing intensive training. Age, gender, race, and ethnicity have as well greatly influenced labor market in the 21stcentury. This is due to the facts that there is an emerging trend on equity and equality whereby employment is granted on merit without distinction of age, gender, race, ethnicity, or religion (Peterson’s 357).
In reference to the accessible studies, it is a clear that education and globalization are largely interdependent. Education creates a platform for innovations and inventions while globalization advances the demand for education. The two have brought the changes that have taken place in the 21st century, especially on the labor force. For example, machines tend to replace the human labor in the manufacturing and production sector. This means employees need to specialize and acquire essential skills in order to cope with challenges of economic recession and technological changes.
In the light of the above evaluation, it is factual to state that education plays a key role in shaping economies. It is only through education that workers can increase their chances of securing, maintaining employment and improving their performance. In addition, the world is turning into a global village where organizations operate beyond regional barriers to reach out to international markets. This highlights the need for workers to keep sharpening their skills through seminars, conferences, workshops, and through undertaking further studies in order to remain relevant in the job market.
Works Cited
Blinder, A. S. Will Your Job Be Exported. New York: Academic Press (2009).
Bureau of Labor Statistics. The first hundred years of the; Washington, D.C: U.S. Dept. of Labor (2009).
Catherine, M. The Economist, Into the Unknown. New York: MacMillan (2004).
Friedman, Thomas L. Untouchable: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005.
Judy, Richard W, Carol D'Amico, and Gary L. Geipel. Workforce 2020: Work and Workers in the 21st Century. Indianapolis, Ind: Hudson Institute, 1997
Peterson’s, Undergraduate Guide; Five professions; Engineering, Business, Technology andServices, Law, and Medicine. New York: University Press (2011).
