A new report from the NFER-led Skills Imperative 2035, An analysis of the demand for skills in the labour market in 2035 is a must-read for the higher education sector. Part of a five-year research programme funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the latest publication from a University of Sheffield team lays out in forensic detail how demand for skills will shift as our economy and labour needs change between now and 2035.
The key finding shows that, in spite of fundamental changes to the labour market caused by AI and automation, and other social, environmental and economic impacts, the top six ‘Essential Employment Skills’ remain very similar to those measured in 2010 and 2020.
The essential employment skills identified are:
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creative thinking
- Information literacy (skills related to gathering, processing, and using information)
- Organising, planning and prioritising work
- Problem-solving and decision making
