The top five power skills employers are looking for today

Skills that were once in high demand are quickly becoming obsolete, while new and emerging fields are creating entirely new job opportunities. Understanding the future of skills and how this will impact the global jobs market in the coming years is vital not just for curriculum planning in schools and colleges but for our global economy.  

Pearson’s Skills Outlook provides vital insight into the immediate needs of the modern workforce, to help employers and employees stay relevant and adaptable in the long term.  Our study analysed labour market trends in four major economies – the US, UK, Australia, and Canada - and confirms that, while technical skills and expertise remain highly valued, the top five most sought-after skills (now and in the short-term future) are all human skills. Find out what they are (they might surprise you!) 

As we all know, one of the biggest shifts in the job market is the rise of automation. Automation and artificial intelligence are, in some industries, rapidly replacing jobs that once required human skills, such as data entry and customer service. Pearson’s Skills Outlook proves that to stay relevant in the job market, people need to acquire new skills that cannot be automated, such as critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence. There will also be a growing demand for soft skills such as effective communication, teamwork, and adaptability.

These skills are difficult to automate and will become increasingly important as companies seek to create a more diverse and inclusive work environment. An emerging field with enormous potential for job growth is sustainability. With increasing concern about the environment, there is a growing demand for professionals with expertise in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green building. 

As technology continues to evolve and permeate all aspects of our lives, the ability to use and understand technology will become increasingly valuable. This includes proficiency in coding, data analysis, and digital marketing. Technical skills are important for many jobs and will continue to be and people will need to retrain frequently to ensure they keep up with the pace of technology.

The job market is constantly evolving, and individuals must be willing to learn and adapt to stay relevant. This means not only acquiring new skills, but also developing a lifelong learning mindset and embracing change – something the vocational sector has always done. 

Here in the UK, we face an impending shortage of workers with collaboration and communication skills across all sectors. The importance of non-technical skills such as communication, the ability to learn and cultural and social intelligence are only becoming more important.  

It is these skills that will have true longevity. Businesses must take a proactive approach to workforce planning to help employees improve their skills and ensure they have the skills needs of the future and schools and colleges need to work with awarding organisations' and employer partners to ensure these skills are embedded in our qualifications.