As we step into 2025, it is important for employees to think about the skills that will not only be important for this year but also future years.
Between now and 2027, businesses predict that 44% of workers’ core skills will be disrupted, because technology is moving faster than companies can design and scale up their training programmes.
Despite this, many employees are ready to take on the challenge, with 77% of respondents from a recent PwC study reporting that they feel ready to adapt to new ways of working.
This highlights an opportunity for employees to get ahead of the curve and futureproof their skill sets. Here are some of the most important skills for employees to consider for 2025.
AI Fluency
In 2023, 75% of employees were concerned about AI making certain jobs obsolete, and 65% feared it might replace their own roles. Fast forward a few years, and the narrative has shifted significantly. Today, employees are increasingly optimistic about AI, with 53% recognizing its potential to enhance their careers and 63% seeing its value for their organizations.
As the willingness to embrace AI increases, it brings the new challenge of employees being able to work with it to the best of their ability. To fully leverage the benefits of these tools, employees must not only understand how to use them but also know how to turn them into powerful allies.
With this shift occurring, the ability to work alongside AI is quickly becoming a critical skill for success in a technology driven workplace.
AI Agents
As AI’s role in the workplace continues to evolve, Deloitte's Global 2025 Predictions Report predicts 25% of enterprises who use generative AI plan on deploying AI agents in 2025, growing to 50% by 2027. AI agents are already helping businesses with tasks varying from admin, managing emails and diaries to taking meeting notes and creating lists of actions.
But in 2025 AI agents are expected to further integrate into more aspects of the corporate world. To keep up, employees need to understand how to work with these agents and develop the skills to collaborate effectively.
Data Fluency
In today’s data-driven world, data fluency has become an essential skill for employees across all levels, not just data scientists. With data at the heart of decision-making, employees can now make strategic and evidence-based decisions instead of relying on gut instincts.
However, simply having the access to data is not enough, employees need to be able to interpret the data successfully and understand what it means. Tools like Power BI and Tableau are no longer just used by data experts and brings a prime upskilling opportunity for employees across all functions of the business to elevate their data fluency and analysis.
Professional Skills
As we embrace technical skills, the need for human skills is just as crucial. Technology, like AI, thrives when complemented by the unique qualities that humans bring.
Adaptability
Adaptability has become more critical than ever as the pace of change accelerates and the demand for new skills grows. A recent Accenture study revealed that C-level leaders rank skill shortages among the top three challenges preventing their organizations from effectively responding to change. If leaders are recognizing this gap, employees must prioritize adaptability and ensure they can evolve with the shifting demands to the best of their ability.
Employees must be adaptable not only in acquiring new skills but also in embracing new ways of working. As roles become more cross-functional and less confined to a narrow set of tasks, the ability to pivot and collaborate across diverse projects is crucial. Stepping beyond traditional boundaries and taking on new challenges is now part of the new norm in a highly adaptive workplace.
Critical Thinking
In the 2020 Future of Jobs report, the World Economic Forum predicted that critical thinking would be one of the most sought-after skills by 2025. As the workplace continues to undergo rapid change and transformation, it's clear that the need for critical thinking has never been greater, making this prediction more relevant than ever.
Although we now have greater access to technologies that can aid decision making, the ability to think independently and make informed decisions still remains essential. While these tools can support decision-making, those who stand out are the individuals who know how to use these technologies as a complement - combining the strengths of technology with their own critical judgement.
Lifelong learning
While we can make educated predictions about the skills needed for the future, it's impossible to know for certain what they will be. However, adopting a long-term mindset equips employees to navigate this uncertainty, making it one of the most crucial skills for success in the future.
While specific technical skills may shift over time, the ability to embrace upskilling and reskilling initiatives ensures employees stay on track with industry demands, whilst opening the door to other opportunities.
A good way to keep long term focus on learning is through adding continuous learning approaches into daily routines, making personal and professional growth an ongoing journey. Learning doesn’t always need to be a large, measurable milestone - it can be small, consistent steps that build over time. Embracing learning as a habit rather than a task is key to sustaining long-term momentum for learning opportunities.
Blending Technology with Human Capabilities
It is no surprise that some of the top skills for 2025 are a mix of both technical skills and professional skills. We know that new technologies are constantly transforming the world of work and that today’s workforce will need to keep up with this.
However, this does not diminish the importance of professional skills. To thrive, employees will need a harmonious blend of technological skills and professional skills to navigate the future of work successfully.