A recent study pinpointed 56 foundational skills that link to better employment, higher earnings, and greater job satisfaction. As the future of work evolves, driven by rapid technological progress and shifting industry needs, the skills employers seek are changing significantly. Professionals must develop a broad range of abilities to excel in this evolving landscape. These include creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience.

Traditional skills like literacy, numeracy, and technical knowledge are still vital. Yet, there's a growing focus on transferable skills that help individuals adapt and excel across various roles and sectors. These skills fall into four categories: analytical/creative, interpersonal, self-management, and emotional intelligence. Mastering these areas enables workers to be well-positioned for success in the future.

The World Economic Forum has spotlighted high-demand employability skills, including complex problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, project management, emotional intelligence, and cognitive flexibility. In 2025, skills like technology-related abilities and active learning strategies will become even more crucial. Educators are vital in integrating these employability skills into educational frameworks. They equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for successful careers.

Yet research indicates that many people are below average in communication, planning, and work methods. This underscores the need for targeted efforts in workforce development and skills-based hiring to close the gap between what employees have and what employers need. By focusing on these core competencies, organisations can cultivate a workforce ready to tackle the future's challenges and opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• 56 foundational skills are associated with higher employment, income, and job satisfaction

• Transferable skills in analytical/creative, interpersonal, self-management, and emotional intelligence are crucial for future success.

• The World Economic Forum emphasises employability skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and emotional intelligence.

• Educators play a vital role in embedding employability skills into educational systems.

• Targeted workforce development and skills-based hiring are needed to bridge the skills gap.

The Shifting Landscape of Work

The world of work is undergoing a profound digital transformation driven by technology, globalisation, and demographic shifts. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated these trends, pushing businesses to adopt remote and hybrid work models. As a result, skills that distinguish us from machines are becoming crucial in the job market.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation will significantly impact the workforce soon. By 2030, up to 800 million jobs could be lost due to automation, with another 375 million needing reskilling. Yet, the World Economic Forum (WEF) forecasts that up to 85 million new jobs could emerge by 2030 due to AI's rise.

To thrive in the evolving work landscape, workers must adapt and acquire new skills. Gen Z, set to comprise almost 30% of the workforce by 2025, must focus on technological literacy and transferable skills. Employers increasingly seek candidates with skills in data analysis, cloud computing, coding, and digital marketing.

Soft skills are also vital in today's workforce. The WEF highlighted in 2021 that by 2025, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving will be highly sought-after skills. Employers highly value skills like communication, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.

As the world becomes less human, the best employees, managers, and entrepreneurs will thrive by being more human.

Employees should identify transferable skills, embrace lifelong learning, network, stay informed on industry trends, and build strong relationships to stay competitive. Adaptability and a commitment to continuous learning are essential for navigating the changing work landscape.

Interestingly, 9% of workers aged 20-24 now hold multiple jobs, showing a trend towards more flexible and diverse career paths. Employers seek individuals who are adaptable, committed to lifelong learning, and digitally literate.

In this evolving landscape, it is crucial to focus on core skills that enable us to thrive in the future of work. By embracing technological advancements, refining our soft skills, and maintaining a commitment to lifelong learning, we can position ourselves for success in the future.

Soft Skills: The Foundation for Success in the Future of Work

In today's fast-paced work environment, soft skills have become essential for success. As technology advances, it's changing jobs and automating tasks, making skills like communication and problem-solving more important. Employers now look for people who can handle complex challenges, work well with others, and innovate.

The World Economic Forum says creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving are critical skills for the future. These soft skills are more valuable than technical skills in today's work world.

Communication Skills

Effective communication is crucial for career advancement. It fosters relationships, influences others, and enhances teamwork. With the rise of remote work, clear and empathetic communication is more critical than ever. It enables individuals to articulate their ideas, listen attentively, and tailor their communication style to suit various audiences. This approach leads to enhanced teamwork and better outcomes.

Problem-Solving Abilities

As work becomes increasingly complex, the demand for problem-solving skills is escalating. Employers seek individuals who can think critically and devise innovative solutions. Essential skills include solving complex problems, thinking flexibly, and exhibiting critical thinking. These abilities are indispensable for the future workforce. Enhancing these skills positions professionals as valuable assets in any organisation.

Creativity and Innovation

In today's dynamic business landscape, creativity and innovation are paramount. Employers require individuals who can think outside the box, generate novel ideas, and devise unconventional solutions. Curiosity is a pivotal soft skill that enhances creativity, innovation, and problem-solving capabilities. Through continuous learning and experimentation, professionals can contribute to developing groundbreaking products, services, and processes.

As the job market evolves, prioritising soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, creativity, and innovation is vital for career success. Developing these skills equips professionals to navigate new job demands and significantly impact their organisations.

Emotional Intelligence: The X-Factor in the Modern Workforce

In today's fast-paced work environment, emotional intelligence (EI) is critical for success. It is essential to comprehend and manage our own and others' emotions. Emotional intelligence encompasses self-awareness, empathy, and social perceptiveness. These skills facilitate the development of solid relationships and effective communication and drive positive outcomes.

Self-Awareness and Self-Management

Self-awareness and self-management form the foundation of emotional intelligence. Recognising our emotions enables us to respond more effectively and adapt to challenging situations. Only 36% of individuals can identify their emotions as they occur, highlighting the need for increased awareness and training. This awareness allows us to understand our strengths, weaknesses, and emotional triggers, facilitating better decision-making and communication.

Self-management involves controlling impulses, managing stress, and maintaining positivity in adversity. Individuals with high emotional intelligence tend to outperform those with low EI, underscoring the significance of EQ in achieving success. Enhancing self-management skills, we can better navigate workplace challenges and adapt to new situations.

Empathy and Social Perceptiveness

Empathy and social perceptiveness are crucial for emotional intelligence. They enable us to form solid bonds and collaborate effectively. Empathy allows us to connect with others' emotions, fostering more profound relationships. Social perceptiveness helps us pick up on subtle cues, guiding our actions to align with social norms. A study highlighted that top executives excel in self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills.

Developing these skills fosters a supportive work environment where everyone feels valued. Research indicates that employees under emotionally intelligent managers are more engaged and committed. Understanding various perspectives is essential for success in today's diverse, global workplaces.

Relationship Management

Relationship management stems from emotional intelligence skills. It aids in building and maintaining positive relationships. Emotionally intelligent leaders excel in fostering solid bonds with employees and others, enhancing their influence and support. Investing in these skills cultivates a culture of trust and open communication, which is crucial for innovation and shared goals.

Effective relationship management also involves conflict resolution. People with high emotional intelligence resolve conflicts more effectively. Empathy, active listening, and a focus on solutions can transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and strengthen relationships.

Enhancing emotional intelligence requires ongoing effort, including self-reflection, feedback, and practice. By focusing on self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management, we set ourselves up for success in the modern workforce. Research shows that emotional intelligence significantly impacts job performance and career success, making it a wise investment for individuals and organisations.

Adaptability and Resilience: Thriving in a Changing Work Landscape

In today's fast-evolving work environment, skills like adaptability and resilienceare key to success. Automation and AI are reshaping the job market, with 8.6 million job transitions from 2019 to 2022 and a predicted 12 million more by 2030. Workers must adapt their skills to keep up with digital technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, and virtual/augmented reality to avoid becoming obsolete. The ability to change, learn new skills, and recover from setbacks is vital for success in the modern workforce.

Cognitive flexibility is vital for adaptability, enabling individuals to shift between tasks and perspectives. This skill is increasingly valuable as job roles evolve. By enhancing mental flexibility, workers can better navigate the dynamic work environment. The LinkedIn 2023 Workplace Learning Report indicates that job skills have developed by about 25% since 2015 and are projected to double by 2027. This underscores the imperative for continuous learning and adaptability.

Resilience is equally crucial for the future workforce. Societal challenges like climate change and social inequity are escalating, making adaptable workers who can adapt to changing priorities highly sought after. Developing resilience equips individuals to manage stress, overcome obstacles, and preserve well-being in adversity.

Adaptability is about the decisive difference between adapting to cope and adapting to win. - Max McKeown, author and strategic advisor

Lifelong learning and continuous skill development are essential for fostering adaptability and resilience. Companies like Danfoss and Deloitte, which prioritise employee training, have seen revenue growth and enhanced adaptability. Workers can prepare for future challenges and opportunities by investing in their learning.

Adaptability and resilience are vital for both individuals and organisations. Companies that value these skills can better navigate disruptions and innovate. Case studies like Kaiser Permanente and United Way demonstrate how adaptability can lead to success during challenging times.

As the power of adaptability becomes apparent in the changing work landscape, individuals and organisations must focus on developing these skills. By embracing change, continuous learning, and a growth mindset, we can survive and thrive in the future.

Digital Literacy and Technical Skills: Navigating the Technological Revolution

The technological revolution demands that digital literacy and technical skills are paramount for success. The fourth industrial revolution, marked by the fusion of digital and physical worlds, necessitates our adaptation and upskilling to remain competitive.

A futuristic landscape with sleek digital devices and screens showcases technology's integration into daily life. Show a diverse group of people confidently using these devices to complete tasks, highlighting their digital literacy and technical skills. Include elements such as coding languages, virtual reality headsets, and robotics to convey the importance of staying current on technological advancements. The overall feeling should be excitement and possibility for the future workforce.

Understanding and leveraging technology effectively is a cornerstone of digital literacy. It encompasses proficiency in using digital tools and an awareness of technology's societal implications. This deep comprehension enables us to utilise technology for innovation, productivity enhancement, and maintaining a competitive edge in our industries.

Understanding and Using Technology Effectively

Thriving in the digital economy requires prioritising digital literacy within our organisations. This entails investing in training that equips employees with the skills to use digital tools and platforms effectively. Cultivating a continuous learning and innovation culture ensures that our workforce remains adaptable to the evolving technological landscape.

Learning to code can enhance digital literacy. Coding skills reveal technology's inner workings and cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving. As technical skills beyond traditional IT and engineering gain prominence in automated workflows, coding knowledge offers a substantial advantage in the job market.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data literacy is another pivotal aspect of digital literacy, given data's central role in new technologies. It has become a critical skill for the future workforce. Mastering data analysis enables us to make informed decisions and drive innovation across various fields.

Data is the new oil. It's valuable, but if unrefined, it cannot be utilised effectively. It must be refined and analysed to unlock its full potential and drive profitable activities.

Upskilling in data analysis involves learning statistical methods, data visualisation, and machine learning algorithms. A robust foundation in data literacy enhances our performance and contributes to our organisations' success.

As we navigate the technological revolution, prioritising digital literacy and technical skills is crucial. By leveraging technology effectively, analysing data, and safeguarding against digital threats, we position ourselves for success in the evolving workforce. With 85% of jobs in 2030 predicted to be new roles, upskilling in these areas is essential for thriving in the digital age.

Leadership and Collaboration: Driving Success in Team-Based Environments

In today's fast-paced work world, leadership and collaboration skills are vital for team success. Leaders must communicate daily to motivate, instruct, and correct their teams. Open communication is key to building teamwork, creating a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and giving feedback.

A group of diverse professionals working together at a round table, each contributing their unique perspectives and skills to achieve a common goal. The team members actively listen to each other and engage in productive discussions. A shared document or project represents their collaborative efforts in the centre of the table. The background should be modern and minimalistic, emphasising the focus on the team and their work.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is crucial for leaders. It helps them understand and manage team emotions, especially during the "storming" phase. When managers show vulnerability, trust and effort increase, pushing teams to excel. A supportive culture encourages collaboration and boosts team performance.

Setting clear goals is vital in teamwork, ensuring everyone understands and agrees on objectives. Celebrating wins boosts morale and motivation. Encouraging team members to solve problems on their own enhances creativity and confidence.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

Developing strong interpersonal skills is critical for leaders and collaboration. Valuing diverse experiences improves teamwork. Open communication is essential for remote or hybrid teams, with many workers now in hybrid setups.

Analytical skills help leaders make informed decisions and choose the best path. Leaders should own up to mistakes and work with the team to fix them, keeping an eye on the big picture.

As leadership evolves towards more collaborative models, equipping teams with the right resources and training is vital. Encouraging diverse ideas boosts engagement and trust, making team members more invested in their work.

• Foster open communication and transparency.

• Set clear, collaborative goals

• Encourage independent problem-solving

• Celebrate team successes

• Provide resources and training for skill development

Focusing on leadership and collaboration can help organisations thrive in team-based settings. Embracing these skills prepares individuals and teams with confidence and agility for future challenges and opportunities.

Building a Talent Pool with These Skills

Educational institutions and employers must focus on developing critical competencies to build a talent pool with the essential skills for the future. Many employers now look beyond degrees and job titles, focusing on the skills a job requires and what a candidate has 16. Large companies like Boeing, Walmart, and IBM have joined organisations promoting skills-based hiring. This shift involves identifying the essential skills and competencies needed within the organisation.

Employers using skills-based hiring have seen a significant increase in applications from a broader range of workers. A case study showed that skills-based hiring led to more qualified applicants, resulting in successful placements with fewer than 16. This approach future-proofs the workforce, allowing companies to adapt to fast-changing industry landscapes. It also helps tap into a more diverse talent pool.

Continuous learning is essential in the skillset approach. Employees are encouraged to develop new skills through training, workshops, and online courses. Skill-based career paths are provided to employees based on their abilities and contributions. A 2018 SHRM survey found that 77% of employees who left their jobs could have been kept if there were more career development opportunities. Over 80% of workers who move to new roles do so by switching employers, showing a lack of internal progression opportunities.

Employers can prepare for employee progression by identifying skills gaps and overlaps between lower-level and higher-level positions. Creating training and transition plans can help workers move up internally. The skillset approach promotes a culture of continuous learning and development, boosting employee engagement and satisfaction. It can be more cost-effective in the long run than traditional hiring methods.

Hiring for skills is five times more predictive of job performance than hiring for education and more than two times more than hiring for work experience. Workers without degrees tend to stay 34% longer than workers with degrees.

To build a strong talent pool, we must:

• Define and agree on the essential skills needed for the future workforce

• Prioritise and value these skills in our hiring and development practices

• Remodel curricula and extra-curricular activities to focus on skill development

• Provide pedagogical clarity and guidance for developing these skills

• Invest in teacher development to ensure practical skill-building

• Implement assessments that can measure the acquisition of these skills

By adopting a skills-based approach to workforce development and organisational transformation, we can build a resilient and adaptable talent pool ready to tackle the challenges of the future of work.

Conclusion

The future of work is rapidly evolving, requiring a new set of essential skills for success. Soft skills, emotional intelligence, adaptability, resilience, digital literacy, technical skills, leadership, and collaboration are now crucial. With 90% of companies adopting hybrid work models post-COVID-19 and up to 12 million workers in Europe and the US possibly needing new jobs due to automation and AI, the need for workforce development and lifelong learning is critical.

Educational institutions and employers must collaborate to offer ongoing learning and upskilling programs. This is essential, given that only 20 to 30% of nearly 4,000 business and HR leaders feel they're adequately addressing workforce strategies. By focusing on these core skills, we can build a resilient and adaptable workforce ready for the future's challenges and opportunities.

Transforming the future of work requires a collective effort and a solid commitment to organisational transformation. Individuals must take charge of their skill development and adopt a continuous learning mindset. Companies must foster a culture that values and develops these skills while tackling the challenges of automation and AI. Together, prioritising these skills ensures a brighter future for both workers and organisations.