This article was originally published by the Forbes Human Resources Council on January 3rd, 2025. Read the full article here: 19 Skills Employees Will Need In The Next Five Years As you consider upskilling or returning to school, it's important to focus on the skills that will be most valuable in the evolving job market. Investing in your education and professional development is a powerful way to stay competitive and advance your career. Here are the key skills that will be pivotal in the next five years, as highlighted by members of the Forbes Human Resources Council. 1. Adaptability Adaptability will be essential as industries and technologies continue to evolve. Companies can support this by investing in ongoing learning programs and fostering a culture that values growth, experimentation, and collaboration. 2. Data Storytelling With the increasing amount of data collected by companies, the ability to transform complex analytics into compelling narratives will drive better decision-making. Training in data visualization tools and storytelling techniques will be crucial. 3. AI Literacy As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into the workforce, AI literacy will be vital, especially in tech-driven industries. Promoting hands-on experience with AI tools and establishing AI as a core competency will be key strategies. To learn more about how AI is transforming the future, check out our blog post here. 4. Cognitive Flexibility Cognitive flexibility, or the ability to adapt and lead change, will be a defining skill. Cross-functional learning and AI-driven training can help employees think creatively and pivot quickly. 5. Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal skills, will be critical for effective leadership and teamwork. Companies should foster environments that encourage emotional growth and understanding. 6. Digital Literacy Basic digital literacy will be a foundational skill as more tasks become digitized. Employees must be comfortable using a variety of digital tools and platforms. 7. Critical Thinking Critical thinking skills will be necessary to navigate complex problems and make informed decisions. Encouraging a questioning mindset and providing problem-solving training can enhance these skills. 8. Creativity Creativity will be important for innovation and staying competitive. Companies can nurture creativity by providing opportunities for brainstorming and encouraging diverse perspectives. 9. Collaboration Effective collaboration will be essential as remote and hybrid work models become more common. Tools and practices that facilitate communication and teamwork will be important. 10. Leadership Leadership skills will be crucial at all levels of an organization. Developing leadership programs and mentoring can help cultivate these skills. 11. Resilience Resilience, or the ability to recover from setbacks, will be important in a rapidly changing environment. Building a supportive culture and providing resources for mental health can help. 12. Technical Skills Specific technical skills relevant to an industry will remain important. Continuous learning and certification programs can keep employees up to date. 13. Project Management Project management skills will be necessary to handle complex projects efficiently. Training in project management methodologies can be beneficial. 14. Customer Service Excellent customer service skills will be vital as customer expectations continue to rise. Training in communication and problem-solving can enhance these skills. 15. Networking Networking skills will be important for career growth and opportunities. Encouraging participation in industry events and online communities can help. 16. Time Management Effective time management will be crucial for productivity. Providing tools and training for time management can improve efficiency. 17. Financial Literacy Basic financial literacy will be important for personal and professional financial decisions. Offering financial education programs can be beneficial. 18. Cultural Competence Cultural competence, or the ability to work effectively with diverse teams, will be essential in a globalized workforce. Diversity training and inclusive practices can foster this skill. 19. Lifelong Learning A commitment to lifelong learning will be necessary to keep up with rapid changes. Encouraging a growth mindset and providing access to learning resources can support this. By focusing on these skills, you can prepare yourself for the future and ensure you remain competitive in a rapidly changing world.
