global workers.pdf

LearnEnglish Professionals

GLOBAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AUDIOSCRIPT

Listen to part of a talk about global workforce development.

Optional exercise

What is the main theme of this talk?

a. How companies can help their employees become globalready.

b. What students can do to become globalready.

c. How universities can help students to become globalready.

(Answer below)

One of the biggest challenges facing employers and educators today is the rapid advance of globalisation. The

marketplace is no longer national or regional, but extends to all corners of the world, and this requires a global

ready workforce. Universities have a large part to play in preparing students for the twentyfirst century labour

market by promoting international educational experiences.

The most obvious way universities can help develop a global workforce is by encouraging students to study

abroad as part of their course. Students who have experienced another culture firsthand are more likely to be

globalready when they graduate. There are, of course, wellestablished international undergraduate student

exchange schemes, such as Erasmus, which operates within Europe, and the exchange partnerships that exist

between universities around the world. The Fulbright program in the US enables graduate students to study

and conduct research abroad. We need to expand and add to such schemes, to enable many more students to

study abroad.

Global workforce development doesn’t always have to involve travel abroad, however. If students learn another

language, and study other cultures, they will be more globalready when they graduate. It is important to point

out that students also need to have a deep understanding of their own culture before they can begin to observe,

analyse and evaluate other cultures. In multicultural societies, people can study each other’s cultures to

develop intercultural competencies such as critical and reflective thinking, and intellectual flexibility. This can be

done both through the curriculum, and through activities on campus outside of the classroom such as art

exhibitions and lectures from international experts.

Many universities are already embracing this challenge and providing opportunities for students to become

global citizens. Students themselves, however, may not realise that when they graduate they will be competing

in a global labour market, and universities need to raise awareness of these issues amongst undergraduates.

Answer: c

www.britishcouncil.org/professionals.htm

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.