Professional services firm PwC is to invest $3 billion globally over the next four years in a digital upskilling programme for its worldwide staff.

The programme is called ‘New world, New skills’, PwC said.

The firm said its research shows that one in three jobs is likely to be severely disrupted or to disappear in the next decade because of technological change.

In addition to investing in training staff, the programme will invest in technologies for supporting clients and communities, the firm said.

Arthur Wightman, PwC Bermuda leader, said: “It’s clear that one of the world’s most pressing challenges — and one faced by business — is the discrepancy between the skills people have and those needed for the digital world.”

He added: “There is a great need for organisations, governments and educators to come together to fix this growing problem and business has a vital role to play. That’s why PwC is launching ‘New world, New skills’ — a commitment to tackle this important problem for our people, our clients and the communities in which we operate.”

Elizabeth Batten, PwC Bermuda digital transformation leader, said: “Generally speaking, technology is only as good as the people who work with it every day. This is why we’re investing in our people to have the right mindset to elevate our business.

“I’m thrilled to be part of our digital upskilling strategy where we’re rolling out training to our entire workforce, more than 200 people at PwC Bermuda. We’ll be learning everything from data analytics and automation to machine learning and blockchain.”

PwC said the programme will upskill all of its 276,000 staff worldwide. The firm will roll out different programmes to meet particular needs, including skills academies, digital fitness apps, and leadership development.

A proportion of the firm’s workforce will develop specialist skills in areas including data analytics, robotics, process automation and artificial intelligence for use in their work, PwC said.

For others, the firm said, the programme will be about understanding the potential of new technologies so that staff can advise clients, communities, and other stakeholders.

PwC said it is also advising clients on the challenges posed by rapid technological change and automation. This includes identifying skills gaps and mismatches against likely future needs, workforce planning, upskilling programmes and cultural change.

The firm said it will also work with governments and institutions to reach a much broader group of people. For example, PwC in Luxembourg helped develop the Luxembourg Skills Bridge which brings together trade unions, associations and businesses to build digital industries and develop digital skills, including among those populations most “at risk”.

PwC said it will help millions of people improve their skills and knowledge for the digital world by making upskilling a focus of its not-for-profit initiatives. This includes working with students and teachers, which will help ensure opportunities are more evenly spread and the firm reaches people who may otherwise be left behind.

The quality of PwC’s work is at the heart of the organisation, the firm said, and the network invests significant and increasing resources in its continuous enhancement across all of the businesses. This investment is targeted in many different areas, including training (technical, ethical and behavioural), methodologies, adding resources in key areas and exploring new ways of delivering the firm’s work.