The island must transform its education system and provide work experience from a younger age to prepare young people for a workforce being rapidly reshaped by AI, according to the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce.
Kelly Corlett, the chamber’s Skills Lead, told a Youth Select Committee that current work experience is often inadequate and should be a “rich experience” offered much earlier, suggesting it begin from year seven.
Ms Corlett told the committee that data shows 49% of jobs on the island “will be transformed as a result of AI,” with roles in finance, e-gaming and customer service already being affected.
Human Skills
Ms Corlett argued the focus must shift to developing unique human skills.
“We know that AI is transforming the way we work, so it will do a lot of the boring, repetitive stuff, which means it allows us to be even more human,” she said.
She identified the “biggest challenge right now” for youth employment as a “lack of exposure for that work experience”.
To address this, she advocated for a powerful partnership.
“If we work together, then absolutely we can transform what education provides, what industry partners with, and then those opportunities as a result,” Ms Corlett said.
She added that the Chamber is ready to be a conduit between industry and education to create these vital opportunities.