Future Skills

Your employees will need these skills in the next 5 years

Become – and remain – future-proof. One of the main goals of today’s companies and a challenge for SMEs. We have never seen so much movement in the labor market in such a short time. The constant transformation of our world and the speed of technological progress will require employers and employees to have new skills, “future skills”, in the future. These range from technological expertise to key digital competencies, and also include traditional and transformative skills.

As Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, emphasized in 2020, by 2025, 50% of all employees will need to be retrained. A wake-up call for companies all around the world. Many companies are coming under increasing pressure. But there is hope! Discover which skills will be key for the future, the role of digital learning media and how to teach future skills.

What are future skills?

Digitization, climate change, demographic change, the pandemic and economic crises pose increasing challenges for companies worldwide, but also offer new opportunities. The cards have been reshuffled. Your employees must learn to adapt to and deal with change. Anyone who wants to respond proactively rather than reactively to VUCA needs future skills.

Future skills are the skills that will become much more important for your employees over the next 5 years, regardless of sector. They explicitly exclude industry-specific and subject-specific skills. Although these are still important and remain a central focus of effective personnel development, future skills focus on the competencies that are gaining in importance due to rapid technological development and social change.

The Future Skills Framework

[Translate to English:] Future Skill Framework

The Future Skills Framework was developed by Stifterverband e. V. in collaboration with McKinsey & Company. It describes the competencies that are already important today and will become even more important over the next 5 years.
The framework identifies a total of 21 future skills, and divides them into 4 areas:

technological skills,
digital skills,
traditional (non-digital) skills and
transformative skills.

The Future Skills Framework grew out of the desire to develop the education system for Working World 4.0. Personnel Development 4.0, which initiates new paths and processes within companies, is of course also involved here.

Technological skills: The key competence for the future

Technological skills are at the forefront of future skills. These are the skills and knowledge that enable your employees to deal effectively with technology, to understand it, apply it and play an active role in shaping it.

Data Analytics & AI

Support data-driven and evidence-based decisions by analyzing and evaluating large amounts of data (big data). This includes the use of machine learning and the development of artificial intelligence (AI)

Software development

Software development includes the programming of front-end and back-end applications and IoT applications

User-centered design

Focus on the users of your products and on attractive and intuitive UX design.

IT architecture

Empower your employees to build, operate, and secure complex IT infrastructures (hardware, software, cloud solutions, blockchain).

Hardware/robotics development

Hardware development and robotics include the design, construction and programming of physical systems and robots that can automate specific tasks and operate interactively in different environments.

Quantum computing

Development and use of quantum computers, an advanced computing technology based on the principles of quantum mechanics, which can perform complex calculations at a speed and with an efficiency that conventional computers cannot achieve.

Key digital skills: going beyond technology

Digitalization is the game changer for our economy. Its disruptive power can be compared to that of the industrial revolution and has fundamentally changed how we live, think and work. Digital skills are essential for navigating the digital world. No sector can afford to ignore them; they are the bedrock when it comes to preparing people for the labor market.

Digital Literacy

Digital basics including handling sensitive data, basic web security, using common software (e.g. Microsoft Office, Google Chrome, etc.)

Digital Ethics

Digital Ethics addresses the fundamental moral and ethical issues raised by the use and influence of digital technologies for society, our behavior, and our decision-making.

Digital collaboration

In a digital collaboration, teams and individuals collaborate across geographic boundaries using modern technologies and platforms. They exchange ideas and work on joint projects.

Digital Learning

Digital learning (also eLearning) includes both digital learning and digital teaching. It makes content accessible at any time and anywhere and enables the design of individual learning paths.

Agile working

Agile working is a method in which teams work in small steps (iteratively), often exchanging ideas and quickly adapting in order to respond better to new requirements and changes.

Traditional skills: Essential basics

Some skills just never go out of style. They have been important for many years and will continue to be important in the future. They are fundamental to the success of your employees, and of your entire company.

Solution focus

The ability to take a structured approach to identifying solutions for complex tasks.

Creativity

Creativity is the ability to come up with new and original ideas and to look at things and deliver in a unique and innovative way.

Entrepreneurial behavior & initiative

Entrepreneurial behavior and initiative mean thinking and acting independently, actively pursuing new ideas and taking responsibility for the delivery of one’s own projects and goals.

Intercultural communication

Intercultural communication is the exchange of information and ideas between people from different cultures, where understanding and respect for difference are important.

Resilience

Resilience is a person’s ability to recover quickly from difficulties and to adapt to challenges without becoming disillusioned.

Transformative skills: Leadership and adaptability

Our society is full of challenges. Social challenges, environmental challenges, challenges to democracy – we are constantly having to identify and cope with new ones. Transformative skills enable your employees to develop and deliver visionary solutions.

Judgment

Judgment is the ability to carefully analyze and evaluate situations in order to make informed and well-thought-out decisions.

Innovation skills

Innovation skills are the ability to think creatively and develop new ideas, products or processes that improve on existing solutions or offer completely new approaches.

Mission focus

Mission focus focusing on a clear goal or a specific task and doing everything one can to achieve that goal or fulfill the task.

Coping with change

Coping with change is the ability to adapt flexibly and effectively to new circumstances, challenges or changes in one’s professional and personal environment.

Capacity for dialog and dealing with conflict

Capacity for dialog and dealing with conflict refers to the ability to have constructive conversations, respect different opinions and find solutions to disagreements or conflicts.

Teaching future skills: the role of digital media

Not for nothing has digital learning become a key future skill. It opens up completely new opportunities for learning and knowledge sharing. eLearning is not only good for teaching hard skills. It is also suitable for training soft skills and future skills. Provided you have a learning and organizational culture that allows your employees to thrive, recognize their weaknesses and strengths, and work on them. Because training can only be effective if your team is open to development. Whether it’s digital, analog or hybrid.

However, in order to teach future skills effectively, eLearning applications must meet certain requirements:

Adaptability

Platforms should be able to adapt to users’ individual learning styles and needs, for example through personalized learning paths and adaptive learning.

User-friendliness

Platforms should be intuitive and easy to navigate, and allow learners to access content without any technical difficulties.

Interactivity and engagement

Digital learning media should include interactive elements such as quizzes, discussion forums, and hands-on exercises to encourage learner engagement and active participation.

Up-to-date and relevant content

Content must be up-to-date, relevant to practice and take into account the latest developments in the sector in question.

Accessibility

Digital learning media should be accessible on different devices and platforms in order to allow for flexible learning.

Promotion of critical thinking and problem-solving

They should encourage learners to think critically, solve problems, and develop creative solutions, all of which is essential to future skills.

Integration of tools for collaboration

Opportunities to collaborate, such as group projects and peer feedback, are key to nurturing teamwork and communication skills.

Data security and protection

User data security and compliance with data protection regulations are essential to ensure user trust.

Feedback and assessment

Effective feedback and assessment mechanisms help learners track their progress and identify areas for improvement.

Technology: Which is the right software for future skills?

Before you decide on software, you should first identify your goal and put together your strategies. Undertake needs analysis and set your priorities. That will make the search for one or more suitable software solutions even more productive.

Here is a selection of technologies to help you achieve your learning objectives:

Learning management systems (LMS)

These systems are used to deliver, manage, and evaluate learning. They provide courses, track learner progress and enable structured knowledge transfer.

Get to know the learning management systems (LMS)

Learning Experience Platforms (LXP)

LXPs are designed to enhance and personalize the learning experience. They often make recommendations based on learners’ interests and progress, and encourage self-directed learning.

Explore LXP EdCast

Learning management systems (LCMS)

CMS enable content to be created, managed, and delivered. They are particularly useful for organizations wishing to develop their own bespoke teaching materials.

Discover LCMS and authoring tools

Scenario-based learning applications

Tools such as Knowledgeworker Coach simulate real-life situations and problems in order to provide hands-on experience in a risk-free environment. They are particularly effective at training critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making.

Get to know Knowledgeworker Coach

Digital flashcards

These help with the rapid acquisition and revision of knowledge. They are an excellent tool for micro-learning and are effective for internalizing key concepts and facts.

Try out digital flashcards

Skill management software

These programs help with the identification, analysis, and development of employee skills. They are crucial to the planning of further training and the alignment of learning objectives with company requirements.

Discover skills management software

The bottom line.

Future skills are cross-sectoral skills that will be crucial to the success of your employees and your company over the next 5 years. The 21 competencies consist of technological, digital, traditional and transformative skills.

Digital learning media and eLearning are particularly effective for teaching future skills. With the right strategy and the right software solutions, you can lead your business toward a positive, innovative future.