The COVID-19 pandemic flipped life upside down and changed the way we do just about everything — from how we work and learn to how we socialize and travel. The key to recovering from the pandemic’s seismic shock lies in lifelong learning and skills.
A Changing Ecosystem
To respond positively to changes brought on by the pandemic, new skills are needed. When employees have opportunities to develop necessary skills via lifelong learning, they’ll be able to respond faster and more effectively. The more trained and skilled your employees are, the greater chance your business has to win back business post-pandemic.
New Skills Are More Important Than Ever
Did you know that the ‘digital transformation has been accelerated by five years in the wake of the pandemic and global lockdown? What’s more, 58 percent of workforces are reporting skill transformations since the onset of the pandemic. So, how are adults supposed to keep up with these swift changes? Lifelong learning!
Lifelong learning is incremental for your employees to keep your business operating smoothly and growing at scale as your staff needs to be ready to take on new roles, skills and technology at the drop of a hat. As many as 375 million workers will need new skills by 2030 because of emerging technology. Lifelong learning is the answer to fill skills gaps.
Understanding the Skills That Matter
Skills evolve fast and are influenced by role, industry, country and each organization’s needs. The top 10 skills needed in 2021 are:
- Advanced IT and programming
2. Leadership and management
3. Communication and negotiation
4. Entrepreneurship and initiative- taking
5. Project management
6. Creativity
7. Advanced data analysis and mathematics
8. Critical thinking and decision-making
9. Adaptability and continuous learning
10. Technology design and engineering
The Importance of a Broad Skill Set
In a digital-first world, soft skills are still important — you don’t have to be an engineer or IT professional to have a smooth recovery post-Covid. Soft skills are the key to success in several fields where skills such as customer service, communication and problem-solving can be transferred across industries, occupations and jobs. Statistics even show that by 2030, soft-skill intensive jobs will account for two-thirds of all jobs by 2030.
Here are some examples of how investing in lifelong learning to develop a workforce with a diverse skill set pays off for employers.
Customer Service Skills Help Build Strong Relationships and Loyalty
When your staff has five-star customer service skills, they will be much more successful at influencing customers, building strong relationships with them and turning ‘browsers’ or one-time shoppers into loyal, long-term customers. Employees who know how to make customers feel valued are always in high demand.
Problem-Solving Skills Are Key for Development
Problem-solving skills help employees develop through their lifelong learning. A typical workday includes a lot of information being thrown at a very fast pace. Employees who fine-tune their problem-solving skills are better equipped to independently and successfully solve problems before they turn into disasters.
Critical Thinking in a Data Saturated World
In a world where data is king, it can sometimes become overwhelming to decipher between types of data and which kind you should care about. Employees with critical thinking skills make better decisions because they are skilled at analyzing and interpreting data. Critical thinking allows them to confidently and accurately analyze the right data. It also helps them predict outcomes based on the information collected.
An Investment Into Lifelong Learning Is an Investment in Success
Employers that provide tuition assistance for lifelong learning are setting themselves up for post-pandemic recovery and success. The best part is that through edtech, most of these continuing education courses and training can be completed from the comfort of the employee’s own home and therefore, done on a schedule that works for them, their current job and family responsibilities. No more weekend or night classes or missing class because of a work obligation or work because of class. Employers that encourage their employees to develop valuable skills will see a return on their investment in the form of dedicated, knowledgeable workers that will help you grow your business.
A skilled workforce is a strong workforce, and as skills become increasingly important, you must keep up to stay competitive. Contact us today to learn more about lifelong learning and how you can benefit from it.
