Why “Reskilling” Is Now Your Strongest Weapon. By Nodoka Shinohara. In today’s rapidly changing world, developing a career strategy in the age of AI has become essential for professionals who want to stay relevant and future-ready.
Only two months remain in the year. As I revisited the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs Report 2025” released earlier this year, I found myself reflecting on what reskilling truly means today.
Building a Career Strategy in the Age of AI: Why Lifelong Learning Matters
According to the report, 170 million new jobs will be created and 92 million jobs will disappear by 2030.
In other words, even though overall employment will increase, around 40% of the skills required in the workforce will change.
While fields like AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, and the green economy are expanding rapidly, AI and big data are also replacing parts of traditional work. At the same time, entirely new types of jobs and roles are emerging.
As automation and data-driven decision-making reshape industries, having a career strategy in the age of AI means focusing on skills that complement technology: creativity, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking.
What is increasingly needed in this transformation is not just the ability to understand technology, but the human ability to apply it, to use new technologies in ways that create value for people and organisations.
Skills such as leadership, adaptability, and analytical thinking are becoming even more vital in the age of AI.
Recently, Accenture announced an $800 million investment in employee retraining and redeployment as part of its AI adoption strategy. This clearly shows that as companies integrate AI, they must also equip their people with both the technical (hard) skills to use AI effectively and the human (soft) skills to apply it meaningfully in real-world contexts.
A Year of Learning in Germany
It has now been a year since I began my MBA studies in Germany, and one thing that struck me from the very beginning was how naturally “continuous learning” is integrated into daily life here.
It’s not unusual for people to hold multiple degrees or professional certifications, and many companies actively support their employees’ personal development.
Among my classmates, several receive tuition assistance from their employers or take advantage of flexible leave policies that allow them to focus on studies during academic terms, all while coordinating with their teams.
Many may already know this, but even the number of paid vacation days in Germany is more than double that in Japan, something that initially surprised me.
After each lecture, classmates often discuss how they can apply what they learned to their companies or teams. Watching this, I’m reminded that education here is viewed as a natural extension of one’s career.
The U.S. Model: Learning as a Supported Right
According to my colleague Saaya, the U.S. also has strong frameworks that encourage lifelong learning.
For example, programs like the GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program enable both active-duty and retired military personnel to attend college or graduate school while working, with full or partial tuition coverage. One of her acquaintances, a veteran, is currently pursuing graduate studies through this system.
Major companies such as Starbucks, Amazon (Career Choice), Walmart, and Target have also introduced policies that fully or largely cover tuition fees for their employees. Microsoft runs global skill development programs, demonstrating a societal commitment to supporting lifelong learners.
These initiatives have helped make learning not something “special,” but rather a normal, socially supported part of life.
The Reality in Japan: Learning Still Depends on Individual Effort
In contrast, in Japan, corporate support for employees pursuing postgraduate education remains limited.
When I first considered pursuing an MBA myself, my previous company didn’t have a system that allowed employees to study while working. I had to resign and bear the financial burden on my own.
Even when someone has the motivation to learn, Japan’s current system often relies heavily on individual effort and determination. As a result, reskilling tends to become a personal “goal” or “expense,” rather than something supported at the organisational or societal level. This remains a major challenge.
A Shift Toward Learning-Driven Careers
As I mentioned in a previous post, since joining Cogs, I’ve noticed a clear increase in people changing jobs not just for higher pay, but for new challenges and opportunities to grow.
That, too, is a form of learning.
The perception of job-hopping in Japan has been slowly shifting; more people now see it as a positive step toward finding an environment that fosters growth. This is a very encouraging trend.
In the end, your ability to keep learning and adapting is what will define your career strategy in the age of AI, helping you not just survive but thrive in a world transformed by technology. It is the most powerful weapon we can have.
If you’re thinking about your career direction or are interested in exploring new learning opportunities in a different environment, feel free to reach out to our team at Cogs. We’d love to help you navigate your next step.
Cogs is an executive search and recruitment agency specialising in connecting creative-minded individuals with global career opportunities.
For further reading and resources, check out our blog: Cogs Agency.
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