Digital Problem-Solving Skills and Job Automation Risks of Older Workers in the United States

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable 9:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Using PIAAC Data to Understand Adults in the 21st Century (Table 4)

Abstract

Rapidly advancing job automation technologies are of concern for employment security. Additionally, the older workforce generally faces greater job automation risks due to lower digital skills, than their younger counterparts. The data of the U.S. workers aged 50 and older (n = 1,570) are derived from the 2012/2014/2017 Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). The job automation risks (i.e., % of jobs to be automated) and PIAAC digital problem-solving skills proficiency (0-500 points), and the covariates are analyzed in the linear regression. Results of the survey-weighted linear regression showed that greater digital skill proficiency (b = -0.05, p < 0.05) is associated with lower job automation risks. Implications for education and labor policy are evaluated.

Authors

• Takashi Yamashita, University of Maryland - Baltimore County

• Donnette Narine, University of Maryland - Baltimore County

• Runcie Chidebe, Miami University (OH)

• Jenna W. Kramer, RAND Corporation

• Rita T. Karam, RAND Education

• Phyllis A. Cummins, Miami University (OH)