Global Skills Podcast

Hosted by Vanessa Wainwright — global skills strategist and industry leader with over 22 years of experience. The Global Skills Podcast explores one of the most urgent challenges of our time: closing the global skills gap and future-proofing talent in an age of rapid change. Each episode, Vanessa speaks with brilliant leaders from business, education, and government, that are shaping the future of work, reimagining learning, and transforming how talent is discovered and developed. Together, they uncover the real challenges organizations face, the strategies that are working, and what the future holds for skills, AI, and human potential. From CEOs and policymakers to entrepreneurs, educators, and mid-career professionals, this is the space where ideas meet action, helping leaders and learners alike navigate the new world of work. Proudly sponsored by Abodoo, whose mission is to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to learning, work, and opportunity by empowering organiz

Global Skills Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Vanessa Wainwright, with 51 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Vanessa Wainwright hosts Global Skills Podcast, a business show with 51 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #53

  The Power of Sales Skills: Career Growth, Confidence & Success with Dr. Deepak Bhootra

  Aug 17, 202643 min

  In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Deepak Bhootra, a seasoned sales leader, executive coach, and entrepreneur, to explore the skills that can shape our careers and professional success. Deepak shares his journey from growing up in North India and learning the fundamentals of selling from his grandfather to building a global corporate career and eventually moving into entrepreneurship, coaching, and professional development. We explore why sales is more than simply selling a product or service and why it can be one of the most valuable skills for career growth. Dr. Deepak Bhootra explains how learning to communicate your value, sell yourself, understand people, navigate cognitive biases, and handle rejection can transform the way you approach your career. We also discuss career transitions, redundancy, resilience, and why continuous learning is essential in an evolving world of work. One of my biggest takeaways from this conversation is that sales is ultimately about understanding people and creating value. Whether you're building a business, looking for your next opportunity, leading a team, or changing careers, the ability to communicate, adapt, recover from setbacks, and understand different perspectives can make a significant difference. Dr. Deepak Bhootra offers practical insights into sales, leadership, career development, and the importance of continually investing in yourself. Connect With Dr. Deepak Bhootra https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepakbhootra/ Connect with the Global Skills Podcast Connect with the Host Vanessa Wainwright LinkedIn Visit Our Website https://www.globalskillspodcast.com Send us an email at editor@globalskillspodcast.com #GlobalSkillsPodcast #DeepakButra #SalesSkills #SalesLeadership #CareerGrowth #CareerDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #B2BSales #Leadership #CommunicationSkills

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  Episode #51

  Future-Proofing Talent in the Age of AI with Deepak Parija

  Jul 27, 202633 min

  The future of work is already here, and in this episode, I'm joined by Deepak Parija, Chief Talent Officer at Wipro, where he leads talent, leadership, learning, and workforce transformation for more than 230,000 employees across 60 countries. Deepak shares how organizations can embrace AI while keeping people at the centre of every transformation, and why continuous learning has become essential for both individuals and businesses. Together, we explore how the role of talent leaders is evolving beyond traditional HR to focus on building future-ready workforces. Deepak explains why digital literacy, human skills, and lifelong learning are no longer optional, and how organizations can use AI responsibly to unlock growth, develop talent, and prepare employees for the jobs of tomorrow. One of my biggest takeaways is that technology alone won't shape the future of work—people will. Deepak reminds us that while AI can enhance productivity, human qualities like empathy, curiosity, adaptability, and leadership will remain the skills that truly set individuals and organizations apart. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, educator, or simply looking to future-proof your career, this conversation offers practical insights into building a workforce that's ready for what's next. Connect With Deepak Parija https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepak-parija-b83a863/ Connect with the Global Skills Podcast Connect with the Host Vanessa Wainwright LinkedIn Visit Our Website https://www.globalskillspodcast.com Send us an email at editor@globalskillspodcast.com

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  Episode #50

  The Future of Education, AI & Lifelong Learning with Stefania Giannini

  Jul 15, 202626 min

  In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I sit down with Stefania Giannini, former Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO and former Minister of Education, Universities and Research in Italy, to explore how education must evolve to prepare learners for an AI-powered future. Together, we discuss why the challenge isn't simply a skills shortage, but a skills waste problem, where talent exists but isn't being fully developed or utilized. We explore the growing importance of lifelong learning, personalized education, multilingualism, and the role AI can play in helping learners unlock their full potential. Stefania also shares why schools and universities must move beyond standardized learning models and focus on developing curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to ask better questions in a rapidly changing world. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, business leader, parent, or lifelong learner, this conversation offers valuable insights into building education systems that are more inclusive, human-centered, and future-ready. As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day, this episode is a powerful reminder that preparing people for the future of work starts with transforming how we learn today. Connect With Stefania Giannini https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefania-giannini-2bb1ab16a/ Connect with the Global Skills Podcast Connect with the Host Vanessa Wainwright LinkedIn Visit Our Website https://www.globalskillspodcast.com Send us an email at editor@globalskillspodcast.com

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  Episode #49

  Creativity, Career Pathways And The Future Of Skills With DR Dave Hockham

  Jul 6, 202632 min

  In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Dave Hockham, Associate Head of School at the University of Greenwich, National Teaching Fellow, researcher, and education leader, to explore why creativity and human-centered skills are becoming more valuable than ever in the age of AI. Dave shares his remarkable journey from studying theatre and clowning to leading transformational change in higher education, revealing how curiosity, adaptability, and saying "yes" to new opportunities shaped his career and approach to learning. Together, we discuss the growing disconnect between education and industry, why organizations need to rethink learning and development, and how employers can better support people through mentoring, onboarding, continuous professional development, and lifelong learning. Dave explains why transferable skills, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking are essential for building a future-ready workforce, while highlighting the importance of creating stronger partnerships between education providers and employers. Whether you're a business leader, HR professional, educator, learning and development specialist, or someone planning your next career move, this episode is packed with practical insights for navigating the future of work. We explore workforce development, employability, leadership, skills mapping, innovation, and the human capabilities that AI cannot replace—offering valuable takeaways for anyone passionate about building a more adaptable, inclusive, and resilient workforce. Connect With Dr. Dave Hockham https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-david-hockham-sfhea-ntf-757a0853 Connect with the Global Skills Podcast Connect with the Host Vanessa Wainwright LinkedIn Visit Our Website https://www.globalskillspodcast.com Send us an email at editor@globalskillspodcast.com #GlobalSkillsPodcast #FutureOfWork #FutureSkills #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #HigherEducation #SkillsGap #Upskilling #CareerDevelopment #SkillsBasedHiring #SkillsMapping#FutureWorkforce

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  Episode #48

  Rethinking Learning & Development in the Age of AI with Marc Ramos

  Jun 29, 202633 min

  I'm joined today by Mark Ramos, a global learning and AI transformation leader who has held senior learning roles at Google, Novartis, and Cornerstone, and who currently advises AI-first startups, venture firms, and Harvard's Learning Innovation Lab. We talk about why cognitive agency might be the most important and most threatened resource in the workplace right now, and what happens to skills, careers, and middle management when AI takes over a chunk of everyone's daily tasks. Mark shares a great real-world example of transferable skills in action, the idea behind Google's internal "Googler to Googler" teaching culture, and his honest take on cognitive offloading, cognitive atrophy, and what he calls learning slop. He makes the case that healthy skepticism, not blind trust, is the real skill of the AI era. This conversation goes deeper into human potential than I expected, and I think anyone navigating their own learning pathway will find something here that shifts how they think about growth and agency. Connect With Marc Ramos Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcsramos/ Connect with the Global Skills Podcast Connect with the Host Vanessa Wainwright LinkedIn Visit Our Website https://www.globalskillspodcast.com Send us an email at editor@globalskillspodcast.com

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