SKILLS ARE THE FUTURE!

I was listening to the news this morning focusing on Amazon’s new store, Amazon Go. It doesn't work like a typical Sainsbury’s or Tesco supermarket — instead, it's designed so that shoppers will use an app, also called Amazon Go, to automatically add the products they plan to buy to a digital shopping cart; they can then walk out of the building without waiting in a checkout line.

With technology advancing and the world rapidly changing, it’s only logical that the skill set needed for jobs in the future is, too. While the digital world is growing, skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork and resilience are becoming more and more valued. These are the skills at the heart fo the Cutlers' 'Better Learners, Better Workers' programmes and young people will increasingly need them to thrive and succeed in the world of work.


So what are the skills that matter...
1. Problem-solving
Problem-solving is a skill we should all possess but as the world advances, and in the world of work we’ll be faced with even more challenges than ever before.
2. Critical Thinking
Wherever you do in the future, you’ll need to be analysing situations, considering solutions and making decisions. In other words, critical thinking will be a key skill in any future workplace.
3. Creativity
The workforce has developed because of people’s creativity and creative people will be in demand to figure out ways to apply the new technology and create new products and services.
4. People Skills
Being able to manage, motivate and delegate to ensure you get the best results for your business are very difficult skills, and vital ones to have.
5. Coordination and Teamwork
Robots and new machinery are great but it’s so important to be able to work with colleagues and adjust according to their actions; essentially, being a strong team player is on of the keys to success.
6. Emotional Intelligence
Being able to adapt to other people’s feelings and surroundings is an important skill to have. It’s the ability to manage behaviour, navigate social complexities and make personal decisions that achieve positive results.
7. Decision-Making
Every business strategy today is based on the analysis of data. Having the capability to study said data and make strong decisions are going to be even more desirable in years to come.
8. Service Orientation
Having strong service orientation skills – or actively looking for ways to help people – is all about focusing on consumers and anticipating what their future needs will be. In other words, you need to think about what the customer will need and create solutions to their problems.
9. Negotiation
Negotiating is something that only us humans do – and do well and even people in technical jobs will be expected to negotiate with clients, colleagues and managers.
10. Adaptability
In today’s workforce, being able to adapt to new situations, programs and even people is incredibly important. We need to be constantly trying to improve and develop what we previously did.
11. Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Thinking outside the box and coming up with fresh concepts and designs is a skill everyone needs. You have to be able to think on your feet and have the ability to run your own project, department or even business.
12. Communication
We all need to connect with others in a deep and direct way, to sense and stimulate reactions, as well as desired interactions. Your communication and social skills can set you on the road to success.
13. Literacy
Literacy is considered to be essential for the 21st Century workforce and our ability to communicate our ideas to an audience is another key to success.
14. Digital Skills
Digital skills are another key to success and they are everywhere and collaboration between virtual team members and  technology-mediated communication are increasingly being used by businesses as it has a great potential in allowing people from different locations to work together.