Senior Vice President, Product Management
MetaMetrics
The workforce is evolving faster than ever before. From the meteoric rise of AI-powered applications, demographic shifts, the “green transition,” and changing economic conditions, careers are evolving. In fact, the World Economic Forum predicts that by 2030, “170 million jobs are projected to be created and 92 million jobs to be displaced,” which results in a net employment increase of some 78 million jobs.
It’s probably no surprise that data, AI, engineering, and security-related jobs rank among the fastest-growing jobs over the next five years, while administrative roles, such as clerks and assistants, are on the decline. As companies look to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency, many are increasing their use of AI to automate repetitive, routine tasks traditionally performed by individuals in administrative roles.
However, to keep pace with the evolving workforce, employers are placing increasing value on skills such as adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration. These life skills enable employees to navigate complex challenges, work effectively in diverse teams, and continue learning as industries evolve (which, clearly, they are). Further, as automation and AI continue to reshape workforce roles and responsibilities, the ability to think critically, to comprehend, to manage time, and lead with emotional intelligence will set individuals apart. That’s why making connections between life skills and core academic skills, such as reading and math, not only prepares students for today’s workforce demands but also future-proofs their skills as they enter an unpredictable and increasingly undefined job market of tomorrow.
Life Skills Don’t Exist When Connections with Literacy and Math are Missing
Preparing students for an evolving workforce requires more than just traditional academics; it calls for a well-rounded approach that interprets reading and math ability within the career landscape while also nurturing their interests and essential life skills. Literacy and numeracy remain critical, but so do skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and a lifelong learning mindset.
When students lack strong reading and math ability, they struggle to fully develop cognitively and personally. For example, reading focuses on skills such as comprehension and vocabulary, which build the ability to process information. In life, reading skills translate into the ability to understand instructions, interpret meaning, and evaluate insights. Literacy also fosters empathy and expands world views. Math encourages analytical thinking and problem-solving, both of which are important inside and outside the classroom. And while math encourages collaboration and decision-making, it also forms the foundation for building practical life skills that every adult needs such as financial literacy and budgeting.
Together, reading and math lay the groundwork for learners to better understand the world around them. So the question becomes, how do we fix the disconnects between reading and math ability, individual interests, and career-related skills in a meaningful way so that students are prepared for success not just in jobs that exist today—but also ones that will emerge in the future?
Connect the Disconnects Between Reading, Math, and Life Skills
Reading and math are fundamental building blocks of education. But assessing reading and math ability in the context of in-demand careers is another matter entirely. Add in the unknowns surrounding emerging careers, including ones we can’t even imagine, and the disconnect becomes even greater.
Consider this example. A middle school student has ambitions to attend college and become an engineer. She reads at a grade level with a Lexile measure of 1250L, and her math ability is at or above that of her peers in her class, with a Quantile measure of 1155Q. On the surface, it sounds like she’s on track to fulfill her dreams. But how does she know for sure? The short answer is that she doesn’t.
But what if the student knew the Lexile and Quantile measures required to become a robotics engineer (1380L and 1110Q, respectively)? With this information in hand, her teacher can assess where she is today and define what educational path she needs to follow to reach her ultimate goal. The teacher can provide developmentally-appropriate and instructionally-aligned content that helps the student progress and move towards achieving the reading and math abilities she needs to be successful, while feeling confident that the student will build life skills along the way that will set her up for future success.
Connecting the dots between reading and math ability, personal interests and ambitions, and the life skills needed to be successful in college or in the workforce requires a fresh approach to measurement that aligns educators, learners, curriculum, and assessments. Using common, agnostic measures like Lexile and Quantile metrics, everyone can assess where learners are today, and map an educational path that helps them build the skills they need to reach their college, career, and life goals.
3 Ways to Prepare Students for Careers That Don’t Exist
Preparing students for careers that don’t yet exist requires an individual-centric and future-focused approach, one that starts with a strong foundation in reading and math. These core skills are essential, not just for academic achievement, but as the bedrock for life skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and adaptability.
Regardless of what the future of work holds, reading and math will remain critical for success in an evolving workforce. Preparing students for what’s next requires dedication and innovation. And everyone in the ecosystem plays a role.
- State policy makers must set an agenda that helps students become life-ready
Championing policy that prioritizes reading and math is a key action state policy makers must take to prepare students for the future of work. By projecting individual literacy and math growth relative to the demands of college and careers, state superintendents can provide their districts and teachers with the context needed to align instructional pathways with learner aspirations. - Edtech providers must make their solutions future-ready for every individual
When edtech providers infuse measures of core skills proficiency into their college, career, and life readiness tools, they enable policy makers and educators to spark engagement that builds skills for the future. By designing tools that support individualized learning and skill-building, aligned to high-priority and emerging fields, technology providers can deliver innovation that supports the next-generation workforce. - Educators must present students with aligned opportunities
By interpreting reading and math skills in the landscape of in-demand careers, educators can nurture curiosity and a love of learning. And, they can help learners cultivate a sense of self-awareness, determination, and direction so that they are equipped to navigate what’s next with confidence, regardless of what the future holds.
As we help learners envision the future of work, one thing remains clear: reading and math measures are more than just academic benchmarks; they serve as the foundation for life skills and lifelong learning, helping to define instructional pathways that fill students with confidence. In a world shaped by rapid and disruptive change, these core skills empower students to adapt, think critically, and solve complex problems in the world around them. By investing in a strong foundation of literacy and numeracy from the start, we’re not just preparing students for jobs that don’t exist yet. We’re giving them the tools to shape a brighter tomorrow.