We all know that change is inevitable — and it's coming faster than ever before. Technology is reshaping the very definition of worker and workplace, not to mention its profound effect on medical treatments.

But we've been here before. If it were the 1950s, I would be talking about similar challenges: a changing workforce, changing workplace, workers needing new skills, and new technologies. Although we don't yet have a clear picture of what these changes will look like exactly, we do know that change will create different needs for both workers and employers — and the workers' comp system will need to adapt to meet those needs. 

Relevancy is a moving target, so staying relevant takes perseverance. The workers' comp system is resilient, and our history has shown that we can adapt and evolve. In our 100-plus year history, the system has adapted to major shifts in the workforce with great success.

Today, workers' compensation is a relevant industry: 95% of full-time workers in the U.S. are covered by the system. And the system has kept its relevance, in part, by focusing on safety; over the last 20 years, claim frequency has dropped by nearly 50%. For a long time we've focused on return-to-work programs, which has contributed significant value to employees and employers alike, not to mention positive social benefits. And underneath it all, our industry financial health is strong.

Related: Texas Workers' Comp informal rule addresses compounded drugs

4 challenges

However, to remain relevant, we as an industry must take on four challenges:

• We must better communicate our successes to ensure key stakeholders understand the value of the system.
• We must be even more mindful of the balance needed across our stakeholder groups.
• We need greater data-driven thought leadership to dispel misinformation.
• Perhaps most importantly — with change happening quickly in the 21st century—we must pick up the pace in adapting to meet our customers' needs.

When we are successful in these efforts, we will not only stay "real-time relevant," but we will enable the workers' comp system to continue to provide value and support for the next generation of workers and employers.

Not an easy task, but one that the workers' compensation industry must pursue.

NCCI is privileged to play a big part — offering data, insights, tools, and services to help adapt to the changes ahead and continue to foster a healthy workers' compensation system.

Related: Roll with it? Hawaii insurer pulls workers' comp coverage from medical marijuana dispensaries

Bill Donnell is president and CEO of the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). To learn more about NCCI, please visit ncci.com. Opinions expressed are the author's own.