Germany: employees whose jobs are very likely to be automated receive the least amount of lifelong training

In a new study published on 20 August 2019, the IAB, German Institute for Employment Research, has highlighted an apparently paradoxical phenomenon. At a time when training is becoming increasingly important as new technologies continue to mushroom, workers who undertake more routine-type tasks, and as such highly likely to see their jobs becoming automated, are actually undertaking fewer lifelong training opportunities than those who carry out non-repetitive tasks and as such less likely to see their jobs become automated. This gap does not depend on (or at most only very slightly) the person’s qualifications. Instead it is largely due to both the intensity of corporate effort devoted to training and the corporate budget availability. The researchers also noted another key factor was the readiness of workers to participate in the training opportunities being offered by companies.

Link to the IAB study results, including the data (in German).