An axiom reminds us that the lessons of yesterday do not always prepare us for the needs of tomorrow.
A recent post about developing future-ready work skills generated reader interest (Are You Second-Skilling?) and today’s post borrows this same theme. The infographic below provide insights about how to develop a skill-set that doesn’t become obsolete. For some readers, this information will help you focus on the education or training you need as you embark on your career. For others, this is a reminder of the skills you will need to upgrade or ‘second-skill’ in order to be competitive in the job market.
The employment landscape is changing rapidly as new technological possibilities emerge and develop. The future of employment will depend on the type of work that humans do – which tasks are performed by people and which become automated (and how quickly). And if automation and artificial intelligence render some jobs obsolete, what employment skills should we focus on to stay employable?
The following employment skills will be crucial in the future:
– entrepreneurship (the ability to create value for others and generate income),
– critical thinking & problem solving (to identify challenges and find solutions),
– creativity (innovation is key),
– emotional intelligence (the ability to work effectively with others), and
– digital literacy & collaboration.
In order to develop employment skills, you need the right education. This means investing in yourself by taking courses that will give you an edge over other workers who are competing for the same jobs as you. You can also upgrade your employment skills by pursuing a second-skill or taking courses on the side.
There are many employment opportunities that will open up in the future, but you need to be prepared for them. Being proactive about employment is not just smart – it’s necessary if you want your career prospects to stay strong during this Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Dr. Jeff Suderman is a futurist, consultant, and professor who works in the field of organizational development. He partners with clients to improve culture, leadership, teamwork, organizational alignment, strategy and organizational future-readiness. He resides in Palm Desert, California. Email: jeff@jeffsuderman.com
Source – Guthrie Jenson