The 2026 Asia Skill Mismatch and the AI Paradox

Описание: Asia is the world’s fastest-growing economic engine, yet in 2026, it faces a "Paradox of Plenty." While millions of new graduates enter the workforce every year, 83% of employers in hubs like Singapore report extreme difficulty finding the right talent.
In this episode, we dive deep into the 2026 Skill Mismatch Crisis and the AI Paradox—a phenomenon where technology is creating more opportunities while simultaneously widening the gap between what we learn and what the industry actually needs.
In this episode, we discuss:
• The Mismatch Crisis: We break down why being "educated" no longer means being "employable." We look at Horizontal Mismatch (too many social science grads vs. the desperate need for STEM and Green Energy) and Vertical Mismatch, which leaves 19% of the region’s workers over-educated but under-utilized in low-paying roles.
• The AI Paradox: Artificial Intelligence is disrupting the workforce at an unprecedented scale. Over 164 million workers (half of the ASEAN workforce) are feeling the impact. We explore the sharp disconnect where 70% of employers want to hire for AI roles, but only 3% believe higher education is actually preparing students for this shift.
• Regional Snapshots: How the crisis looks different across the continent—from Singapore’s shift to "skills-first" hiring to Thailand’s aging digital divide and India’s formal training deficit.
• The 2026 Survival Strategy: Why the most valuable skill in the modern economy isn't knowing a specific software, but "Learnability"—the ability to rapidly unlearn and relearn as AI cycles shorten.
Key Takeaways for 2026: The era of "degree-hunting" is over. We explore how micro-credentials, skills-first hiring, and regional mobility are the new tools for a future-proof career.
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