Output
1) Background Paper
A Background Research Paper (minimum 12 pages, excluding annexes) will be prepared and submitted at least one month prior to the Workshop. The Paper will be developed through a **desk-based literature review and comparative analysis** of existing publications, policy documents, research papers, and reports produced by APEC, international organizations (e.g. OECD, ILO, UNESCO, World Bank), governments, academia, and the private sector. **The research will rely exclusively on secondary sources, and no primary research methods (e.g. surveys, interviews, or focus group discussions) will be undertaken.**
Rather than covering all 21 APEC economies, the Paper will undertake a more in-depth comparative analysis of **4–6 representative APEC economies**, tentatively including **Australia, Chile, China, Korea, Singapore, and Viet Nam**. These economies have been selected to provide a balanced representation of developed and developing economies, different geographic regions within APEC, and varying levels of digital transformation and AI adoption. They also offer diverse experiences in workforce upskilling and reskilling, as well as public-private-academic collaboration models that could provide practical and transferable lessons for other APEC economies.
The Background Research Paper will be shared with participants several days before the Workshop and will serve as a reference document to facilitate informed discussions during the Workshop. The Paper will tentatively cover the following topics:
(i) A synthesis of existing studies and research on the impact of digital transformation and AI on labour markets, employment trends, and the future of work.
(ii) An analysis of the opportunities and challenges in promoting upskilling and reskilling in the digital age, including issues related to affordability, digital infrastructure, and access to quality training.
(iii) At least three case studies (minimum two APEC developingeconomies) showcasing successful public-private-academic collaborationmodels for workforce development.
(iv) A set of 10 policy recommendations, best practices, and practicalexperiences that economies could implement to support their workforce inadapting to the digital future.
The Background Research Paper will not be an APEC Publication.
2) 2-Day Workshop
A 2-day Workshop in Q1 2027 will be held in Viet Nam, with time allotted to develop conclusions and recommendations. The hybrid format would allow the organizer to invite qualified speakers from international organizations and all 21 APEC member economies, including non-APEC- funded eligible speakers and participants. This workshop will be based on discussions among participants, particularly those from governments, private sector, academic institutions, and international organizations, with a focus on including women and youth participants.
The Workshop will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, case study presentations, interactive question-and-answer sessions, and facilitated group discussions. Experts and speakers from governments, academia, the private sector, international organizations, and relevant regional initiatives will be invited to share policy perspectives, practical experiences, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to workforce development in the digital age. Participants will be encouraged to actively engage in discussions, exchange experiences, identify common challenges, and contribute to the development of practical recommendations and policy insights.
The Workshop Agenda will tentatively cover 5 main sessions during the 2- day Workshop. The rough Agenda below is subject to change:
1. Day 1:
(i) Assessing the current landscape of digital transformation and its impact on the workforce in the APEC region: opportunities, challenges, and the digital skills gap - with a focus on how governments, the private sector, and academic institutions are responding.
(ii) Sharing experiences and best practices in designing and implementing upskilling and reskilling programmes for the digital economy, including case studies on successful public-private-academic collaboration models for workforce development from APEC economies and lessons learned from their implementation.
(iii) Exploring the role of AI and automation in reshaping job requirements and workforce competencies, and the implications for cross-sector collaboration in workforce development.
2. Day 2:
(iv) Developing actionable strategies and policy recommendations to promote future-ready workforce development through public-private- academic collaboration.
(v) Exploring strategies and practical mechanisms to enhance collaboration among governments, the private sector, and academic institutions in supporting workforce development and skills development for the digital age.
(vi) Workshop wrap-up and reflection: Recapping the key messages and lessons learned from the Workshop, while facilitating an interactive discussion among participants on the most valuable insights gained and how to apply the knowledge, resources, and good practices in their respective organizations and economies.
A collection of documents and presentations presented by speakers/experts at the Workshop will be shared with participants (hard copies and cloud links), submitted to the APEC Secretariat, HRDWG and other relevant working groups.
* A Set of 2 Surveys on expectation and satisfaction of the Workshop will be prepared and circulated to participants before the start and after the Workshop.
1. The Pre-Workshop Survey will be disseminated to participants prior to the Workshop. The survey aims to assess participants’ understanding of emerging workforce challenges in the digital age, including digital skills gaps, workforce adaptability, and preparedness for technological transformation. It will also collect participants’ expectations regarding the Workshop and identify priority areas of interest.
2. The Post-Workshop Survey will be conducted in the final session of the Workshop and collected electronically (e.g. through Google Forms.). The survey will evaluate the extent to which the Workshop has achieved its objectives, including increasing participants’ awareness of future-ready workforce strategies, enhancing understanding of digital and AI-related skills requirements, and identifying practical approaches for workforce development. The survey will also assess participants’ satisfaction with the Workshop’s content, speakers, and overall organization, as well as collect feedback on gender-related considerations and inclusiveness. Survey results will be analyzed and incorporated into the final Project Summary Report with Compendium of Recommendations.
3) Project Summary Report with Compendium Recommendations (APEC Publication)
The Project Overseer will prepare a Project Summary Report with Compendium of Recommendations as an APEC publication. The Report will be submitted to HRDWG and made publicly available on the APEC website. The structure may be adjusted based on discussions and outcomes of the Workshop.
a. The Project Summary Report (a minimum of 15 pages, excluding annexes) will summarize key discussions, presentations, case studies, and perspectives shared by speakers and participants. It will highlight good practices, emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities related to building a future-ready workforce in the digital age. The Report will also present key findings from the pre- and post-workshop surveys and summarize gender-related observations where applicable.
b. The Compendium of Recommendations, expected to be approximately 3–5 pages, will provide practical and actionable recommendations for policymakers, businesses, educational and training institutions, and other relevant stakeholders. Recommendations will focus on strengthening workforce resilience, promoting digital and AI-related skills development, fostering public-private partnerships, and enhancing regional cooperation to support workforce readiness in the digital age.
The tentative structure of the Project Summary Report with Compendium of Recommendations is as follows:
- Executive Summary
- Introduction and Background
- Key Findings from the Background Research Paper Workshop Proceedings and Key Discussion Points
- Case Studies and Good Practices
- Survey Finding
- Compendium of Recommendations
- Conclusion and Next Steps
Following the Workshop, the draft Project Summary Report with Compendium of Recommendations will be circulated to speakers and participants for comments before endorsement.
Outcome
In the short term:
The outputs of the Workshop (including the Background Research Paper, the Project Summary Report with Compendium of Recommendations, and speakers' presentations) will be influential in the community after being disseminated through different channels (websites of APEC, related ministries, agencies, etc.). Participants, particularly from developing economies, are expected to increase their awareness and capacity, and to integrate knowledge and information regarding upskilling and reskilling in the digital age absorbed at the Workshop, from which they can draw lessons, experiences, and apply in their economy.
Improved harmonization of individual economy and regional human resource development policies, initiatives, and projects, driven by the evaluation of member and inter-regional policies at the Workshop.
In the long term:
The Project Summary Report with Compendium of Recommendations incorporating interventions, policy measures, and recommendations shared during the Workshop will be the key deliverable. These recommendations could include follow-up or additional APEC activities or initiatives that Viet Nam would undertake in the APEC Viet Nam 2027. This is a resource/reference guide for APEC economies to consider in developing policies at the economy's or APEC's level.
Catalyze more cooperative work in the future between APEC members and other stakeholders, particularly a platform for discussion and experience-sharing after the Workshop, including an informal regional cooperation network on promoting upskilling and reskilling of the workforce in the digital age.
Beneficiaries
All APEC economies are welcome to participate in the project. In particular, government officials, busisnesses, academic institutions and relevant participants from various sectors.
- The primary beneficiaries include:
(i) Policymakers, officials from APEC member economies’ government and agencies, particularly working on human resource development, digital economy, education and training, and labor market policy who can improve their knowledge and capacity in workforce development for the digital age; learn best practices from member economies and explore solutions to domestic and regional policy challenges through in-depth exchanges.
(ii) Representatives from related APEC working groups (i.e., HRDWG, TELWG, DESG, PPWE, SMEWG) who can offer insights about ongoing work in their group and opportunities for cross-fora collaboration.
(iii) Representatives from international/regional organizations (ILO, OECD, UNESCO, WB, etc.), inter-governmental organizations, and NGOs with deep background knowledge who can share a broad overview of international cooperation on workforce development and suggest measures/best practices from their respective organizations.
(iv) Experts from academic institutions, research centers, and the private sector, particularly in digital skills, vocational training, and human resource development: they benefit from in-depth exchanges with colleagues from other member economies, cultivating knowledge and practical experience.
- The secondary beneficiaries are stakeholders who may not attend the workshop but will benefit from the project’s outputs, including the APEC Project Summary Report with Compendium of Recommendations. These include all individuals in the workforce, especially who are most affected by digital transformation, will enjoy the benefits of improved upskilling and reskilling policies and programs in a more equitable and comprehensive manner through the findings, best practices and recommendations.
