--- title: "Get Members Ready for the New World of Work" id: "10185" type: "post" slug: "get-members-ready-for-the-new-world-of-work" published_at: "2018-02-21T00:00:00+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-15T02:48:45+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/02/21/get-members-ready-for-the-new-world-of-work/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/02/21/get-members-ready-for-the-new-world-of-work.md" excerpt: "In an analysis of the association community’s workforce development strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats (SWOT), researchers supported by the ASAE Foundation identified issues and changes that are likely to affect how associations offer education and training. Technology and automation, the..." taxonomy_category: - "Learning" taxonomy_post_tag: - "ASAE Foundation" - "ASAEcenter" - "E-learning" - "Education Law" - "Education Program Development" - "Employee Training" - "Environmental Scans" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Get Members Ready for the New World of Work In an analysis of the association community’s workforce development strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats (SWOT), researchers supported by the ASAE Foundation identified issues and changes that are likely to affect how associations offer education and training. Technology and automation, the skills gap, and the evolution of learning to more modular approaches all have consequences for association-based education. Associations should be looking ahead to see how best to adapt their workforce development efforts to meet new demands. ### Technology and Automation While there is uncertainty about how [automation](https://associationsnow.com/2018/02/automating-work-changing-job-gets-done/) and developing technologies will affect the workforce, how we work will change. According to one [report (opens in a new tab)](https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/overview/2017-in-review/automation-and-the-future-of-work/a-future-that-works-automation-employment-and-productivity) , in 60 percent of occupations, at least 30 percent of the work is potentially automatable. People in highly automatable roles may find their jobs in jeopardy, but many others are likely to see their current jobs change significantly. Whether they are in vulnerable positions or not, workers across industries will have to learn new skills to work with new technologies. A 2017 [Deloitte (opens in a new tab)](https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/human-capital/articles/introduction-human-capital-trends.html) survey found that 77 percent of companies plan to retrain people or redesign jobs around emerging technologies and increased automation. Identifying the impact that technology and automation are having and will have on your industry can help you design training and professional development opportunities that your members will need in the future. ### The Skills Gap In a 2016 survey by the [ManPower Group (opens in a new tab)](http://www.manpowergroup.com/talent-shortage-2016) , 40 percent of employers reported having trouble finding qualified workers. People are looking for work and employers are looking for workers, but there is a skills-based disconnect, and many in-demand skills are not taught in schools. Associations can serve the needs of both workers and employers by identifying and addressing the skills gaps in their industries. Another area of opportunity for associations is cultivating better relationships with employers. Improved connections can help associations better understand what employers—members and potential members—need in order to more effectively address the skills gap. Partnerships with academic institutions will enable associations to broaden the scope of their learning and training offerings. ### New Learning Formats Professionals are increasingly interested in online [microlearning](https://associationsnow.com/2018/02/microlearning-responding-new-learning-styles/) options. These modular lessons, delivered in short bursts, have been found to be more effective for learners while allowing them to tailor their learning to their immediate needs—think of a YouTube tutorial in comparison to an hour-long, scheduled webinar. **40%** Percentage of employers who report having trouble finding qualified workers *Source: The ManPower Group* A potential threat to associations in the learning arena is competition from for-profit education providers, many of which provide a broad selection of offerings via easy-to-use online platforms. The task for associations will be to adapt quickly to this emerging competition, including modifying or replacing learning management systems that are not keeping up with the pace of change. Ultimately, associations will need to leverage their data intentionally to respond to the changing workforce development landscape. Associations collect a wealth of data on their members and their industry. By using it to develop their responses to these and other changes, leaders will be able to create education and training activities that meet their members’ and their industry’s most urgent needs—offering the best possible outcomes for their members’ careers and their industry’s success. Tags: [#ASAE Foundation](https://associationsnow.com/tag/asae-foundation/) [#E-learning](https://associationsnow.com/tag/e-learning/) [#Education Law](https://associationsnow.com/tag/education-law/) [#Education Program Development](https://associationsnow.com/tag/education-program-development/) [#Employee Training](https://associationsnow.com/tag/employee-training/) [#Environmental Scans](https://associationsnow.com/tag/environmental-scans/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [ArticleThe Core of Agency: How Business Development Drives Learner-Centric GrowthFebruary 25, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/02/25/the-core-of-agency-how-business-development-drives-learner-centric-growth/) - [ArticleHow Trade Associations Strengthen the Workforce with Training InitiativesSeptember 18, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/09/18/how-trade-associations-strengthen-the-workforce-with-training-initiatives/) - [VideoWelcome to ASAE AcademyMarch 19, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/03/19/welcome-to-asae-academy/) - [ArticleHow to Plan, Execute, and Evaluate Informal Learning Programs for AssociationsJuly 14, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/07/14/how-to-plan-execute-and-evaluate-informal-learning-programs-for-associations/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2018%2F02%2F21%2Fget-members-ready-for-the-new-world-of-work%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !