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 54 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Vanessa Wainwright hosts Global Skills Podcast, a business show with 54 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 #10001

  AI and Skills-Based Hiring: Rethinking Recruitment with Dionne Atwill

  Sep 7, 202637 min

  What does great recruitment look like when AI can write a convincing CV, but employers still need to understand what someone can actually do? In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I’m joined by Dionne Atwill, CEO and co-founder of Exec TA Social, to explore how AI and skills-based hiring are changing talent acquisition. From her beginnings in theatre to leading a global community of talent executives, Dionne shares why transferable skills, empathy and curiosity matter. We discuss alternatives to traditional CVs, task-based assessments, and how connecting recruitment with employee development can help organisations recognise talent already within their teams. Proudly sponsored by Abodoo, helping organisations and educators close the skills gap through skills technology. Connect and explore Dionne Atwill on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dionneatwill Exec TA Social: https://www.execta.social/community Vanessa Wainwright on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vwainwright/ Global Skills Podcast website and community: https://globalskillspodcast.com/ Global Skills Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-skills-podcast Abodoo: https://www.abodoo.com/ Resources mentioned urfuture: https://www.urfuture.io/blog/the-journey-of-urfuture Simon Squibb: https://www.simonsquibb.com/ Watch and listen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalSkillsPodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5T0HisMfolG2JbrQIKqNuV Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/global-skills-podcast/id1846851119 Podbean: https://globalskillspodcast.podbean.com/

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  Episode #54

  The Future Of Talent: AI, Skills & Leadership with Tom Verboven

  Aug 24, 202626 min

  In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I’m joined by Tom Verboven, Senior Director at Mercer Talent Enterprise based in Dubai, to explore the future of talent and the changing world of work. Tom shares his international experience across Belgium, the UAE, Lebanon, the UK, and the US, and explains why making the right talent decisions can have a major impact on organizational success. We explore skills-based organizations, internal talent mobility, reskilling, and upskilling, and why companies need to understand both the skills they have today and the capabilities they will need tomorrow. Tom also explains why talent teams need to collaborate more closely and why having a clear strategy, culture, and focus on key skills can help organizations build stronger talent ecosystems. We also dive into AI, human skills, assessment, and the future of leadership. Tom shares why organizations may need to assess more for wisdom, judgment, creativity, and experience as AI takes on more knowledge-based tasks. We discuss bias, “noise” in assessment, and how AI could potentially make some aspects of talent evaluation more consistent Connect With Tom Verboven https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-verboven-b85a691 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 #TomVerboven #FutureOfWork #TalentStrategy #SkillsBasedOrganization #FutureSkills #TalentManagement #TalentAssessment #AIandHR

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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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