Adrian Rurawhe: The future of work

TOOL OF THE FUTURE: A 3D printer.

I remember very clearly my first day at my first job in 1978.

I was 17 years old and had finished school the day before, and at that time I thought that I would stay on that career path for the rest of my life.

However, we have come a very long way since those days. Firstly, 17-year-olds generally aren't able to finish school one day and start a pretty good job the following day.

The nature and experience of work has not only changed, it is continuing to change even more rapidly. Digital technology is causing changes to work not seen since the industrial revolution.

I recently read an article that suggested that, in the very near future, if you need a new part for a machine at a work site, you will simply go online, pay a small fee, download the template, and then print it on your 3D printer. This process will change the way businesses will operate in the future.

A 2013 study estimated that 47 per cent of jobs in the United States are facing high risk from new technologies. Those entering the workforce today are likely to have several different careers and many more different jobs in their lifetimes compared to previous generations.

Businesses need new models of organisation, processes and different skills from their workers in an increasingly globalised environment.

At the same time many workers have increasingly insecure and precarious work experiences due to casualisation, zero-hour contracts and other exploitative practices.

On the flipside of this, many more people are self-employed by choice, with a younger generation of workers desiring to be their own boss or work in more flexible contracting arrangements.

It is essential that, as a country, we acknowledge, prepare for and adjust to these changes.

We need to understand the drivers of change, the challenges and opportunities, and what policy programme needs to be adopted so we can face the future with confidence.

So for these reasons the Labour Party has set up the Future of Work Commission.

The Future of Work Commission is being led by Grant Robertson. Along with Labour MPs, it also has an External Reference Group. The commission is undertaking a two-year programme to develop a comprehensive understanding of the changing nature and experience of work, and its impact on the economy to develop the policy responses required to meet the challenges and grasp the opportunities presented by those changes.

I'm really excited about the outcome that we are looking for.

That is to develop the vision, direction and policies for an economic and social programme to enable New Zealanders to confidently face the changing nature of work and have sustainable, fulfilling and well paid employment in the coming decades.

We need to do this, in order to secure the future of work and the future of the next generation.

-Adrian Rurawhe is the MP for Te Tai Hauauru.