I have been challenging myself this year, having completed a Coaching Certification and currently studying a Certificate in Conversational Maori. I have always had a passion for learning, having had nine years at university over the years and attending many professional development events. But lately it has been a real challenge to fit my learning into my daily life. And I find myself asking why do I put this pressure on myself?
The answer is pretty simple – by learning new skills and pushing myself outside my comfort zone, I am continually growing.
In today’s techno world, where the answer to any question is just a couple of taps away on your key board, it is easy to rely on the internet for information and answers rather than pursue new learning.
But with this continued advancement in technology and the increase in automation, comes the possibility of jobs continually changing, being restructured, and what used to be a secure way of earning a living, being under threat. The need for all of us to develop and draw on new skills and learnings that we may not have needed in the past may then become a necessity so that we can adapt, survive and thrive in the future.
So what are the skills that have been identified as essential for the future?
The World Economic Forum in 2015 produced a Future of Jobs Report looking at what skills will be needed in 2020. Here is the list:
1. Complex problem solving
2. Critical thinking
3. Creativity
4. People Management
5. Coordinating with Others
6. Emotional Intelligence
7. Judgement & Decision Making
8. Service Orientation
9. Negotiation
10. Cognitive Flexibility
The demand for creativity and negotiation are expected to increase dramatically in the near future. The report goes onto say that by 2020, it is estimated that “more than a third of the desired core skill sets of most occupations will be comprised of skills that are not yet considered crucial to the job today”.
And not all industries will be affected equally – The Financial Services and Investors Sector is likely to see the most disruption, with an estimate of 40% of the skills that are currently needed, soon to be redundant!
The sectors that will be best placed will be Media, Entertainment and Information, with three-quarters of the skills currently required, likely to still be relevant.
So what can I recommend?
Keep current with what is going around you, continue learning, in particular the “soft skills” highlighted above, and don’t be afraid of the future – embrace change, because you have prepared for your future. Contact me to find out more.
[…] Everything we learn in life and our careers helps to prepare us for change. When I decided to give up the senior role I’d worked so hard to get I was worried about starting over. However, I realised everything I’d gained in my career was the foundation for the next step in my career. Having a strong foundation of knowledge and skills is an asset in a changing world. It’s important we continuously prepare for change by taking opportunities to learn, grow and challenge ourselves. Caroline from, Love Your Career, does a great job of explaining why continuous learning is essential to future-proof our careers. […]