When it comes to hiring new talent, it appears that some employers are starting to favour core skills over technical competence.
Core skills are known by many names, including soft skills, transferable skills, human skills and power skills. Regardless of what they’re called, they all refer to the same thing: the non-technical attributes and competencies that help an individual succeed in the workplace.
Core skills have always been important, but it’s anticipated they will become even more in demand over the coming years due to the rise in automation and AI.
According to McKinsey, as technology advances and machines take over more technical and routine tasks, human employees’ responsibilities will shift to those requiring higher cognition, technological capabilities and social and emotional skills.
Research by Deloitte Access Economics indicates that by 2030, two-thirds of all occupations in Australia will be core-skills intensive.
Gen Z in the workplace
As Gen Z enters the workforce, they are already demonstrating a number of skills highly prized by employers. Not only are they extremely technologically literate, but their shared values include authenticity, inclusivity, pragmatism and clear communication.
They are also a globally and socially conscious generation. According to our recent Gen Z Industry & Study Pathways Report, over 80% of young people said that it was somewhat or very important for them to have a career that positively impacts society, and 73% said the same about working in a sustainable industry.
However, it is not enough for us to expect Gen Z to develop vital core skills naturally. Embedding core skills within educational curricula has been shown to improve students’ academic performance and would go a long way to ensuring our young people enter the workplace prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.
Drawing from research conducted by the World Economic Forum as part of the Reskilling Revolution campaign, here are the five core skills we believe will be most in demand as Gen Z enters the workforce.
1. Leadership and social influence
Employers today are seeking individuals who can positively influence the people around them. Further, as Gen Z prefers less authoritative management styles, leadership skills will need to include sub-skills in collaboration, persuasion, and trust-building.
2. Resilience, flexibility and agility
With new technologies entering the market every day, the pace of change has never been faster. For Gen Z, this means the ability to quickly adjust and adapt to new platforms, software and ways of working will be essential.
3. Empathy and active listening
As AI takes over many technical tasks, the ability to connect with others and build meaningful and productive relationships will be more important than ever. Already known for their empathy and people-first approach, Gen Z will benefit from the development of more essential core skills, such as active listening and giving and receiving constructive feedback.
4. Motivation and self-awareness
Particularly in light of the recent shift to remote and hybrid working, it’s essential that employees are able to self-start, work independently and demonstrate initiative. Workers will also need to be highly self-aware, possessing a good understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, as well as how they are viewed by others around them.
5. Curiosity and lifelong learning
Our new world is rapidly changing, and long gone are the days when study stops at graduation. In the workplace, Gen Z will need to engage in ongoing professional and personal development to stay up-to-date and demonstrate a curiosity to learn new things.
Want to learn more about the next generation? Visit our blog for our valuable and research-driven Gen Z insights.
