It is difficult not to fret about how our skills will hold up in the future — will we be able to make a living tomorrow based on what we learnt yesterday?
Adi Stephan, the head of learning at IQbusiness, says by 2020, more than 30% “of the desired core skill sets of most occupations will be comprised of skills that are not yet considered crucial today”. But she has advice on how to ensure you stay relevant:
- Take a lesson from nature — you must be able to adapt to change or risk becoming extinct. “Flexibility and adaptability are now essential skills for learning, work and citizenship in the 21st century,” she says;
- Embrace technology — taking a defensive attitude towards it will hasten your demise. “We future-proof ourselves by optimising all available technology.”
- Make a commitment to keep studying — there are plenty of online courses, many free, that can keep you ahead of the pack. “Those who get ahead are likely to be those who take continuous learning into their own hands,” she says; and
- The world may be heading towards a future dominated by robots and AI — but make sure you work on those “soft skills”.
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