Long before artificial intelligence took over the world of work, we understood that technical skills alone won't lead to career success.
Ten years ago, my predecessors at the General Assembly teamed up with the Burning Glass Institute to explore an emerging class of hybrid jobs that require both digital and offline skills, such as marketing and communications.
Now that these roles have become the norm, employers are focusing on so-called “durable skills” such as communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. More than three-quarters of today's job postings ask candidates to demonstrate at least one durable skill, according to a new report from Lightcast. Almost half want three or more. These skills can be learned on and off the job and can be used throughout an individual's career.
According to a recent LinkedIn survey, an overwhelming majority of American business executives say durable or “soft” skills are more important than ever. LinkedIn research also found that professionals with strong and durable skill sets are promoted faster compared to colleagues with only technical abilities.
However, these uniquely human skills remain in short supply. New data from General Assembly highlights persistent dissatisfaction with early talent, as reported by US and UK business leaders
53% of leaders say their new hires are less prepared than they were five years ago. According to most leaders, this is due to weak endurance skills. At large companies with 1,000 or more employees, nearly two-thirds (64%) of leaders say a lack of sustainable skills is the reason early talent is not adequately prepared.
Soft skills in the AI era
As companies scramble to retain employees with the right skills, it's becoming clear that durable skills are rapidly evolving in the age of AI. Employers need to equip their employees with these skills and leverage them to maximize the value of AI in the workplace.
Consider how AI has disrupted the traditional definition of durable skills. Communication skills are about more than just talking and emailing everyone, from teammates to company leaders to customers. Communication skills in the AI era may include clear and effective AI co-pilot prompts that generate useful content and code.
Critical thinking skills have also evolved beyond the ability to objectively evaluate information and quickly synthesize it to support informed decision-making that benefits colleagues.
Today's workplace requires individuals to apply critical thinking to know:
- With and without AI.
- How to recognize AI-generated content, data, and other information.
- Should you dispute or trust AI-generated information?
- How can we take appropriate action when the AI goes out of control?
Collaboration has evolved beyond simple teamwork to improve productivity and enhance innovation. In this age of AI, collaboration means empowering colleagues to use AI and developing automated processes that enable individuals and teams to produce faster, more efficient work.
Train AI and durable skills alike
Our General Assembly survey found deep divisions over responsibility for ensuring entry-level employees acquire the new skills they need to succeed in an AI-transformed workplace. According to 80% of company leaders, new hires are responsible for learning these skills. And leaders say educational institutions and employers are responsible.
Meanwhile, our research found that more than 60% of employees say their organizations should be stronger.
More employers are now investing in training across their organizations to ensure employees have the right and lasting skills to meet current needs. Almost every role in an organization can benefit from AI, and training shouldn't be limited to early AI adopters or tech-savvy employees.
From marketing and HR to sales and production, teams are using AI to automate repetitive tasks, ask smarter questions of automated systems, and improve efficiency.
4 smart steps to train AI and lasting skills
Consider these four steps when planning training that integrates durable skills.
1. Identify gaps. This includes both current skills gaps and future priorities. We provide training in AI skills, as well as communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills for building and managing AI processes.
2. Develop your training. Create role-specific, hands-on training to develop the skills, judgment, and confidence needed to monitor AI capabilities.
3. Consider profit: Ideally, training should be tailored to your employees' interests so that they feel engaged, supported, and want to expand their skillsets.
4. Think of training as an investment. In the future, most organizations will struggle to recruit qualified external employees due to skills shortages. Employers should take steps now to develop their talent. Develop your own approach or partner with a provider that delivers targeted training to empower your employees and advance their careers and your organization.
Uniquely human skills continue to be valuable in the workplace, but they don't always look the same. While organizations are building an AI-enabled workforce for this new era of work, they must also build long-lasting skills to adapt to the demands of this rapidly changing technology.
Daniele Grassi is CEO and Chairman of the General Assembly.
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