What are “Future Skills” and which skills are already needed now? As an Institute for LifeLong Learning, we are constantly monitoring trends for the competencies of the future and the present.
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Future Skills – what does this term mean?
If you type the term “future skills” into a search engine, you will receive over two billion results . The term is no longer a blank slate. It is also a synonym for the competencies of the future.
What defines “Future Skills”?
As the Institute for Lifelong Learning, we are guided by current publications on the subject. These include the definition of the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e.V. (Donors’ Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany), which, in cooperation with McKinsey & Company, published the report “Future Skills 2021 – 21 Competencies for a Changing World” and is shaping the discourse on “Future Skills” in Germany. These skills are defined as cross-sectoral abilities, skills, and characteristics that will become more important in all areas of professional life and beyond in the next five years (Stifterverband/ McKinsey 2021).
Which future competencies are relevant?
The current global changes and challenges in the economy, society, and the environment also shape the skills for the future. In May 2023, the World Economic Forum published “The Future of Jobs Report 2023” with a ranking of the relevant “Future Skills”. The report links current developments, such as the advance of artificial intelligence and the shift toward sustainability, with forward-looking skills for occupations up to 2027. The data evaluated for this report is based on a survey among senior executives from various companies. It is also interesting to note that, contrary to the assessments from an earlier report, the trend toward automation has progressed more slowly compared to the last survey conducted in 2020.
Five “future skills” of the present – these “core skills” will be important in 2023
In its report, the World Economic Forum highlights five skills that dominate and will remain relevant in the coming years:
1 – Analytical thinking
2 – Creative thinking
3 – Resilience, flexibility and agility
4 – Motivation and self-awareness
5 – Curiosity and lifelong learning
Strengthen “Future Skills” with professional education
Of course, we had no influence on the fifth skill. The importance of lifelong learning is omnipresent and reinforces our mission as an Institute. By expressing your interest in learning something new, as for example with our course program for professionals, you are already demonstrating curiosity and the desire for lifelong learning.
Within our courses, we cover a wide range of the top five skills identified by the World Economic Forum report. Analytical and creative thinking is fostered with every course program – be it through concrete assignments or course content from research and practice. Resilience, flexibility and agility are encouraged simply by your participation. After all, learning new skills makes you more resilient for the job market and creates psychological security. In addition, you need a certain degree of flexibility to complete the courses – you learn this by organizing your professional education alongside your job. Being agile helps, for example, to adjust to new people in team projects and to reconcile different roles at work, within your private life as well as continuing education.
Discover our continuing education programs for professionals and executives:
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