2025 Critical Skills Guide
2025 Critical Skills Guide

Human skills for the age of AI.

The past few years have seen unprecedented levels of change in not only how we work, but the tools and skills we need to succeed. The very qualities that define us as people - curiosity, communication, creativity, compassion - are proving essential in helping us understand, shape, and get the most out of emerging technology.

70% of skills used in most jobs will change by 2030, but investing in critical skills will keep your people ahead of the curve and safeguard your organisation through transformation.

Our science-backed 2025 Critical Skills Guide explores the essential emerging skills that your people will need in order to think critically, collaborate effectively, and articulate ideas clearly - crucial human competencies in the age of AI.

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Critical Skills for 2025:

Advanced Networking

 

Collaboration

 

Design Thinking

 

Experimental Mindset

 

Effective Communication

 

Embracing Change

 

Emotional Intelligence

 

Healthy Work Habits

 

Learning & Unlearning

 

Professional Presence

 

Personal Impact

 

Stress Management

 

Storytelling

 

Teamwork

 

Time & Energy Management

 

Advanced Networking

24% of Gen Z cite “networking” as the skill they feel most unprepared for.

Read the full Skills Guide

Collaboration Over Competition

Collaboration was the 7th most in-demand skill globally in 2024.

Read the full Skills Guide

Design
Thinking

24% of Gen Z cite “speaking confidently in front of crowds” as the skill they feel most unprepared for.

Read the full Skills Guide

Experimental
Mindset

38% of global C-suite executives prioritise ‘agility’ when considering entry-level candidates.

Read the full Skills Guide

Effective Communication

Communication was the most in-demand skill globally in 2024.

Read the full Skills Guide

Embracing Change

“Resilience, flexibility and agility” is set to be the 5th fastest-growing workplace skill by 2030.

Read the full Skills Guide

Emotional
Intelligence

91% of L&D professionals believe human skills are increasingly important in 2025 and beyond.

Read the full Skills Guide

Healthy Work Habits

Gen Z employees miss the equivalent of one day's work every week due to mental health concerns - around 60 lost productive days per year per employee.

Read the full Skills Guide

Learning & Unlearning

“Curiosity and lifelong learning” is set to be the 6th fastest-growing workplace skill by 2030.

Read the full Skills Guide

Personal Impact

“Social influence” is set to be the 7th fastest-growing workplace skill by 2030.

Read the full Skills Guide

Professional Presence

24% of Gen Z cite “networking” as the skill they feel most unprepared for.

Read the full Skills Guide

Stress Management

52% of Gen Z say they experience high levels of workplace stress on a daily basis.

Read the full Skills Guide

Storytelling

24% of Gen Z cite “speaking confidently in front of crowds” as the skill they feel most unprepared for.

Read the full Skills Guide

Teamwork

Collaboration was the 7th most in-demand skill globally in 2024.

Read the full Skills Guide

Time & Energy Management

52% of Gen Z say they experience high levels of workplace stress on a daily basis.

Read the full Skills Guide

Get the full guide:

Critical Skills
2025 CRITICAL SKILLS GUIDE

We've helped organisations bridge skills gaps around the globe.

Some of the organisations we've partnered with include:

 
  • HMTreasury
  • Clifford Chance
  • DeutscheBank
  • VirginMedia
  • Ocado
  • Lloyds
  • MandS
  • First Direct

We've helped organisations bridge skills gaps around the globe.

Some of the organisations we've partnered with include:

 
  • HMTreasury
  • Clifford Chance
  • DeutscheBank
  • VirginMedia
  • Ocado
  • Lloyds
  • MandS
  • First Direct

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