Future Skills and Lifelong Learning
In 2020, I read an article from the World Economic Forum regarding future job skills. I thought about the article this week, and when I revisited it, I realised that it referenced skills needed in 2025. That seemed a long way off in 2020, but we now of course find ourselves in that very year!
The article stated that 50% of all employees would need to reskill by 2025, as adoption of technology increases. Critical thinking and problem-solving topped the list of skills employers believed would grow in prominence. It identified other skills that would also grow in prominence; they were skills in self-management such as active learning, resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility.
The Forum listed the top 10 skills of 2025 as being:
- Analytical thinking and innovation
- Active learning and learning strategies
- Complex problem-solving
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Creativity, originality and initiative
- Leadership and social influence
- Technology use, monitoring and control
- Technology design and programming
- Resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility
- Reasoning, problem-solving and ideation
It is interesting to reflect on that article, particularly as the Head of a school. I strongly believe that we should pay attention to emerging trends that could ultimately impact our children as they grow and develop. Within Sedbergh Prep I see creativity, resilience and flexibility daily, and I do not underestimate the importance of creating an environment where these skills can be nurtured and encouraged. I will often ask children what they think the solution to a problem might be, and they will provide thoughtful and innovative ideas. Seeing situations through a child’s eyes can be enlightening to say the least.
The reason this article came to mind this week, was because of a staff training session I attended. It was given by DC Lee Clark, who is a Cyber Crime Investigator. Within the talk, future job skills were mentioned, hence I thought back to the article I mention above. I learnt a lot, not only as a teacher, but also as a parent.
Kate Martin
Head of Prep School
Image: Congratulations to our U11A Boys’ Hockey Team. Runners-up at U11 In2 Competition and they have qualified for the Regionals!