30% of jobs in OECD countries at risk of automation

In its recently published Young Workers Index 2017, which compares level of participation in employment, education, and training of young people across 34 OECD countries, PwC explored, among others, the implications of automation for young workers. PwC estimates that, by the early 2030s, around 30% of jobs could be at risk of automation in many large and OECD countries. The risk of automation varies considerably across industries, with transport, manufacturing, and retail facing some of the largest risks (while health and social work, arts and entertainment, and education face the lowest risks). PwC also outlines several recommendations on how governments and the private sector can support workers in the automated world. Most of these recommendations focus on education, and include broadening education and training options for young people during school, focusing vocation training in STEM areas (as these jobs tend to be less at risk from automation), and engaging employers in training strategies.