By 2025, the high-tech industries in most nations look set to change. A new wave of innovation is about to hit, and it’s all part of what many are calling the fourth industrial revolution. According to Northwestern Polytechnic University, technology breakthroughs are emerging, which are expected to make a big impact on employment, particularly in skilled jobs. So it might be time for some education and training updates.

According to a new research report presented at the World Economic Forum, nanotechnology and cyber security figure among the top skills that will be in demand in 2022. The report entitled “The Future of Jobs” predicts that 70% of children entering primary school today will work jobs that currently don’t exist. That’s why high schools need to be prepared with current learning materials.

The teaching of computer coding is set to become a larger part of the curriculum in most countries, especially due to the rise of driverless cars. “Experts predict that traffic accidents will drop by more than 80 percent when all vehicles are automated,” said Future Focused Institute’s Director of Research, Dr. Elizabeth Long Lingo.

Computer coding will also be important in other aspects of high tech, from helping robots communicate to making devices more energy-efficient, the report predicted. But, unfortunately, it’ll only get more complicated too, so it’s a good idea for teachers to try and drum up extra income by taking computer programming lessons themselves before they try to pass it on.

Teaching about the risks of cyber security breaches will also be crucial, as more electronic devices are used at home and work. Experts recommended that schools try and collaborate with local technology companies to ensure students understand how hackers might look to exploit them. Fortunately, computer programming can play a big role in making sure new products are hack-proof.

Teaching students about foreign cultures and languages is a big priority in high schools, with the world becoming more connected. However, with so many different dialects to teach in Asia alone, schools will have to consider investing in language learning tools to keep up with demand from parents wanting their children to gain a competitive edge when applying for universities.

What the Future Holds

“By 2030, the world’s technological landscape will be vastly different,” said Eric Nattinghouse of Future Focused Institute. “This is why high schools need to make sure they are prepared to teach our students properly. Learning about nanotechnology, the evolving Fourth Industrial Revolution, and cyber security will help them take advantage of these changes.”

He went on to say that teaching students about foreign cultures and languages will be a big priority in 2022. In the next few years, it’ll become quite common for children to learn Mandarin Chinese and English.

Lingering fears of artificial intelligence (AI) taking over jobs should also be considered by schools, especially since tech giants like IBM are looking at making smarter computers. “It’s only a matter of time before AI systems start making decisions about other AI-related tasks,” Long Lingo said.