Do you have a high learning quotient (LQ)? If—like me—you were educated in the UK, the chances are low. Will those odds increase for younger generations here? Not unless urgent action is taken.
During the 2023 annual World Economic Forum (WEF) conference in Davos, weeks after OpenAI launched ChatGPT and introduced generative AI to the masses, visionary speakers championed the concept of LQ as the successor to the intelligence quotient.
In essence, LQ gauges an individual’s adaptability and willingness to enhance their skill set throughout their lifetime continuously. This metric is increasingly indispensable for businesses and their leadership. But what about the leaders of tomorrow? Are they learning the requisite skills?
The WEF’s Education 4.0 campaign, launched last year, posited that three critical skills should play a “central role in each student’s personal curriculum”: problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability. Owing to its strict, structured, test-heavy school curriculum, the UK is currently far from the top of the class for LQ.
Last month, I was fortunate to attend a delightful and enlightening “Taste of Estonia” dinner at the London embassy of the country often revered as the most digitally advanced society in the world. It was mainly to mark a decade of its pioneering e-Residency scheme. I enjoyed chatting with Estonian entrepreneur Taavet Hinrikus, co-founder of Wise. He serves as a prime example of the necessity for continuous learning and adaptability.
Despite being only in his early 40s, Hinrikus has successfully transitioned from engineer (at Skype) to entrepreneur to investor throughout his career. His experiences highlight the importance of developing a strong LQ.
Notably, Hinrikus, who recently moved back to London, deliberately took his children out of the UK’s exam-focused school system and enrolled them in an International Baccalaureate (IB) school instead. He told me that the British education system’s emphasis on high-stakes testing adds enormous stress for students and families without providing much educational value, optimising test-taking ability at the expense of real learning.
The UK could learn valuable lessons from countries like Finland, where the education system fosters adaptability from a young age through play rather than examinations. Finnish students start formal schooling at age seven and enjoy a more relaxed learning environment that encourages exploration and creativity.
Further, standardised testing is minimal, with only one assessment at the end of secondary education. This approach has proven successful, with Finland consistently ranking among the top nations in international education assessments.
Singapore, another global leader in education, has also recognised the need for lifelong learning and innovation. Despite being sometimes accused of producing academically smart but creatively stunted graduates, the government has implemented initiatives to encourage Singaporeans—from school children to CEOs—to look beyond test scores and rankings as a measure of success. In 2017, the country’s then-Education Minister Ng Chee Meng spoke of nurturing the “three Is”: imagination, inquisitiveness, and interconnections.
The WEF’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 revealed that over 85% of surveyed companies, collectively employing more than 11.3 million workers across 45 economies, identified increased adoption of new technologies and broadening digital access as the primary drivers of organisational transformation.
Meanwhile, IBM predicted that 40% of the existing global workforce would need to be reskilled by 2026 to keep pace with AI and automation advancements.
To address the growing demand for tech talent in his native Estonia, Hinrikus co-founded a coding school to provide a fast track to a good first job in technology. The school’s practical approach to teaching tech skills highlights the need for educational institutions to adapt to the changing demands of the industry. As every business becomes a technology company to some degree, the importance of lifelong learning and continuous skill acquisition cannot be overstated.
The UK’s traditional educational practices and recruitment methods must be revamped—and quickly—in the digital age. Embracing lifelong learning, fostering adaptability, and rethinking the role of standardised testing are crucial steps in preparing the British workforce for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
By looking to countries like Estonia, Finland, and Singapore for inspiration, the UK can develop a more agile and future-proof approach to education and skills development, ensuring citizens are well-equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving technological landscape.
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