Safety skills and careers by 2040

Why is this theme important?

Socio-demographic changes, technological and organizational shifts... there are considerable safety challenges linked to the skills of actors working in high-risk industries in the near future. 

While this theme was touched upon in the ‘Operator of the future’ analysis that was included in the Foncsi’s previous scientific program, it needs to be explored in greater depth.

Two approaches to skills

First of all, skills can be considered as human resources with specific knowledge. In this first, so-called ‘globalizing’ approach, the terms skills, knowledge and resources are more-or-less synonymous.

The second approach is termed ‘situated’, and it defines skills as the application of knowledge in the workplace. 

The major changes currently unfolding in the world are affecting these two aspects of ‘skills’. One of the challenges we face is to encourage companies to give greater weight to this second approach.

Reading advice

Foncsi publications

• Industrial safety in a changing world, Industrial Safety "Cahier", Foncsi
• Managing Future Challenges for Safety, SpringerBrief in Safety Management, Foncsi

A summary of a scientific article in french

• A systematic review on workplace health and safety of ageing construction workers, by Udara Ranasinghe, Liyaning Maggie Tang, Celia Harris, Weicong Li, Jed Montayre, Abílio de Almeida Neto et Mark Antoniou.