What does the future hold for Australia’s workforce?

A globe surrounded by five laptops
How the workplace of the future will look is an uncertain place to be examined by a Griffith forum on Friday.

With some jobs edging towards extinction and others just coming into fashion the future of Australia’s workforce and workplace has an uncertain look to it.

How industries evolve and occupations emerge to keep pace with the demands of digital disruption and technological progress is a key concern for anyone engaged with the employment sector right now, from business managers to part-time employees to government policy makers.

Against this backdrop, industry and academia will again join forces on Friday morning for an up-close-and-personal examination of the country’s future workforce at a Brisbane event hosted by Griffith Business School.

An expert panel of workplace researchers and industry representatives will consider key questions to be answered at Brisbane City Hall, led by moderator Professor Peter Jordan, Deputy Director of Griffith’s Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing.

peter-jordansmall“There are many questions to be asked and answered,” Professor Jordan (left) says. “What skills are going to be sought after in the future workforce and who is responsible for giving employees these skills? What is going to motivate employees into the future? What role will government play in the future Australian workforce? Who is watching out for the wellbeing of our workforce of the future?

“On Friday each member of our expert panel will put forward the one issue they believe managers need to focus on going forward.”

The event is part of the Griffith Business School Alumni Business Breakfast series, to be co-hosted with Griffith’s Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing.

Professor Peter Jordan is an expert in performance in work teams and the role of emotions in organisations. He will be joined by Griffith University colleagues Associate Professor Janis Bailey and Associate Professor Ashlea Troth.

Janis Bailey’s research interests include union strategy, fairness at work, and employment relations in the hospitality, higher education and retail industries. Ashlea Troth’s research examines how employees’ workplace emotions and emotional intelligence influence performance outcomes.

The panel will also include Paul Vittles, a director with market research leader, Instinct and Reason, and human resources expert, Chris Elston. PaulVittles has 30 years’ professional training and experience as amarket, social and behavioural researcher. Organisational reform, change and development have been a central focus for Chris Elston during 34 years working with industry.

“Issues around Australia’s ageing workforce must also be afforded due consideration,” Professor Jordan said. “How do we maintain an older workforce, particularly with people being encouraged not to retire? How do we maintain the existing workforce in the face of longer hours and increased expectations? These questions are not going away in a hurry.”

A wide range of business and industry representatives will attend Friday’s event coming from areas like education, mining, construction, health, finance, human resources, real estate and business management. Government representatives will also be present as will Griffith Business School graduates from all walks of professional life who will share some of their experiences of the workplace market. A number of current business students will also be among the 100 guests.