BP vice president: 21st century labor market - Threat for some, opportunities for others

The labor market is changing rapidly, and the nature of work itself is changing - these processes can no longer be stopped, BP Vice President for the Caspian Region Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli said, speaking in Baku at the panel discussion "Future Careers: How to Stay Relevant, Ready and in Demand," Report informs.

He noted that changes have always accompanied society, but today their pace has become unprecedented: "Today, transformations are happening much faster than in previous eras. Moreover, during the life of one generation, we can witness two or three large-scale transformations that change the rules of the game. And this, of course, affects the labor market. Is this a threat? Someone will say diplomatically: no. But I will say directly: yes, it is a threat."

At the same time, Aslanbayli emphasized that the ongoing processes also open up new prospects: "It all depends on how you perceive changes - as a threat or as an opportunity. If you consider them as a chance, you can derive significant benefits. The advantage is that the transforming labor market always offers something new that can inspire. And these changes are not at all limited to replacing a person."

He paid special attention to young people who will spend the next 30-40 years in the labor market.

He called adaptability the main skill of the future.

"The more flexible you are to changes, the easier it is for you to acquire new skills and learning habits, the more successful you will be. Today, universities around the world are trying to give students not only specific knowledge, but also the ability to learn. A successful person is someone who develops a habit of self-study and mastering new areas. But learning should always be accompanied by self-discipline. This is the key feature with which you should go out into the world," Aslanbayli added.