What job skills are most important for the future?
Employers, employees, and job seekers want to know: “What are the important job skills for the future?” The problem is that nobody knows.
The problem with job forecasting
Every few weeks, a business magazine, Internet site, or popular press publication produces an article forecasting the jobs and careers that are most in demand for the next year, a few years, or even a decade. The problem is that these predictions are based on current data and trends, and are often based on linear extrapolations of current employment data. Demographic and technological information is often incorporated into the equation. Additional projections and analysis can be performed, but neither of these techniques is particularly accurate in forecasting future conditions. This is because the “explosion” of technology means that many jobs that don’t even exist today will represent important career opportunities in the future.
The employment and professional situation
The US Department of Labor estimates that today’s graduates will have between 10 and 14 jobs by the time they reach age 38. In today’s workforce, only 25% of employees have been in their current job for more than a year; while 50% have been there less than 5!
The top 10 “in-demand” jobs for 2010 didn’t even exist in 2004″ (stats from “Did You Know?” video created by Karl Fisch, Scott McLeod and Jeff Bronman, for Corinthian Colleges, Parthenon IV, 2009). (including Everest Universities, Colleges and Institutes, as well as WyoTech) says they are “preparing students for jobs that don’t exist yet…using technologies that haven’t been invented”…to solve problems we don’t have yet. I know there are problems.” CCI (Corinthian Colleges, Inc.) has many initiatives to address these challenges, including technology, curriculum, modes of contact with students, and the interface of instruction. Most importantly, recognition of the challenge, a willingness to change, an investment in classroom technology, and a “can do” attitude pave the way to the future.
This is not to say that other companies and educational institutions do not share this vision of the future or the will to change. But it is an example of a progressive and proactive approach.
How does OnePrepare work?
It is challenging to prepare for a future when there is so much uncertainty and things are changing so quickly. What is needed is not just a “skill set”, but a “mindset”. The technical skills you need to make a living in the fields of business, criminal justice, medicine, or law are important, but given the rate of change, other skills are at least as valuable.
You probably guessed that one of the keys to success in the emerging environment is education. But education is not enough. You must have an attitude of openness, flexibility, and a desire to learn, along with a willingness, even a desire, to embrace change. And their education must be enriched with learning technologies and approaches designed to engage the student and teach them to be a “lifelong learner.” It must include technical skills, information technology, interpersonal and communication skills. You must also incorporate planning, critical thinking and analysis skills. This is a good base for any race.