sustainability@work: toward 2030 together.

driving a brighter future of work through innovative partnerships

We are now at a pivotal moment to ensure that the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are realized. The need for a labor market that is fit-for-purpose and future-proof is stronger than ever as the pandemic accelerated labor market challenges such as increased digitalization, new forms of work, demographic change, talent shortages, and job polarization. Our second Sustainability@Work report shows how cooperation and partnerships - between governments, employers, labor organizations, and workers - need to play a key part in creating a labor market that is accessible for all

Growing employer-employee mismatch and a widening global skills gap highlight the importance of stronger collaboration among stakeholders. Our program in the Netherlands - Baanbrekend - is an exciting example of how a public-private partnership can support those currently struggling to access the labor market. For example: 

• The chances of being employed is estimated to be four times higher when someone is supported by a program such as Baanbrekend.
• There is a direct monetary benefit over the three subsequent years after successful placement. 
• It is estimated that the government savings on welfare benefits could total almost € 20 million euros.
• The partnership would also contribute nearly € 7 million to economic growth in the Netherlands from a well-functioning labor market. 

This program is just one of our over 70 social innovation programs across the globe and, if scaled, has huge potential to act as a blueprint for creating a financial and societal impact while creating a more sustainable labor market.

The biggest challenge is ensuring that all partners take responsibility for their piece of the puzzle: 

• governments need to set the scene by providing policies and instruments as well as basics such as a regulatory framework that ensures decent work for all.
• employers should foster all talent and reduce barriers to entry to the job market.
• workers should be more aware that they need to invest in reskilling and upskilling, especially digital skills - only then will they be able to navigate the fast-changing labor market.

In the next decade, we all have a key role to play in reaching the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Greater responsibility and cooperation among all stakeholders are needed to address the immediate and longer-term needs of job seekers and employers and create a labor market that is accessible for all. As shown by the Baanbrekend program, the positive impacts of partnerships are significant and should be a key focus for all in the immediate future.

You can read more on our sustainability vision here.