Hard skills
Skills relating to a specific task or situation, comprising both understanding and proficiency in such specific activity that involves methods, processes, procedures, or techniques.
1. Technical skills
Comprehension of programming languages:
Knowing a programming language is becoming as essential as knowing a language, like English. Programming language can be used in developing websites, automating tasks, writing scripts and many other tasks. Engineers can benefit by becoming proficient in other programming languages to make their daily tasks more efficient or even move to a new role where this language is used. Moreover, knowledge of programming languages paves a way for one to further develop in the direction of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning or Mobile App Development. Even understanding how website development works in general can be a good asset for an employee.
Cloud computing:
One of the recent developments in business and technology has been increased usage of cloud service, especially as businesses are moving their digital assets to cloud based solutions. Therefore, companies require employees who are comfortable working with the cloud based platforms. Cloud computing skills are actually based on strong technological skills; thus one could build cloud computing skills once an employee has a good base of technological understanding.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML):
One of the recent trends in companies is leveraging data to improve the business. The leverage of data, however, requires more than classical analysis on excel sheets but a usage of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms. Thus, AI and ML skills are very demanded nowadays. These skills allow companies to work with data and systematically understand the large amounts of data to answer specific business questions and give insights to managers. Skills around AI and ML include development of data models and creating and keeping AI infrastructure. Those skills are highly based on understanding software design, statistics, comprehension of programming languages and engineering skills.
Technological skills:
These are the skills related to usage, working with and integration of technologies in the daily work life. In other words, these are the skills that help an employee to use different technologies comfortably and efficiently for work and easily adapt to new technologies.
Hard skills for Industry 4.0 in areas of mathematics, science, and computing:
6 technological sectors that are part of the Fit4FOF (Fit for Factory of the Future) project, which aims at analyzing technology trends in the Fourth Industrial Revolution in sectors such as Collaborative Robotics, Additive Manufacturing, Machine Automation, Human-Machine Interaction, Data Analytics, and Cyber-Security. In those sectors the most important hard skills are: Artificial Intelligence and software development in Collaborative Robotics and Machine Automation; engineering fundamentals, design and simulation in Additive Manufacturing; Big data analytics and Development of applications for Virtual and Artificial Reality in Human-Machine Interaction; programming and deep learning in Data Analytics. Notably, all the mentioned skills are in the realm of mathematics, science and computing.
2. Business related skills
Working with Excel:
Excel is one of the most used corporate tools. Knowing it can help to work with data: organizing data, doing calculations, and analyzing as well as visualizing data. Mastering excel can be a very good asset to any employee in many different roles.
Project Management:
Companies always need employees with project management skills, as companies constantly run projects and initiatives at different scales. Project management skills comprise setting project objectives and goals, meeting project goals, considering resources, managing resources, and delivering the project on time.
User Experience (UX) Design:
No time in the past has highlighted the importance of user experience as the current times. Products are fighting for consumer attention and user experience of these products may be the most distinguishing factor between competitors. Having a great user experience has become a focus of many companies producing consumer products as it shows that having a great user experience also has an impact on more revenue and returns to shareholders.
Audio and Video production:
With the development and revolution of entertainment industry skills related to production, editing and delivery of audio and video content are becoming even more important. Mastering those skills can be done by anyone using available tools and can actually get one a job in content producing companies, making it an easy target for reskilling.
Soft skills
Soft skills are desirable qualities for certain forms of employment that do not depend on acquired knowledge: they include common sense, the ability to deal with people, and a positive flexible attitude
Time management:
Time management has always been important for employees to make the most out of the working hours shuffling between productivity, team meetings and meetings with customers and keeping a balance between personal and professional lives. However, in the pandemic times time management has become even more important as most people work from home and staying productive in the home setting is quite a challenge.
Remote working skills:
Working from home skills will not only be relevant in the pandemic era but also most likely will stay a new normal in the post-pandemic era. Working from home skills include but not limited to mastering the tools that facilitate remote work setting, using video conference tools, communicating with other teammates in a digital environment and harnessing the full power of productivity at home.
Emotional intelligence:
Emotional intelligence is a crucial soft skill an employee must have and develop. Emotional intelligence is an ability to recognize one's own emotions and manage them as well as perceiving emotions of others. It has four important pillars: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Human resource managers state that emotional intelligence is one of the strongest predictors of one’s success at work. Current trends show that for employees having only technical abilities is not enough, one must foster emotional intelligence as well.
Cognitive skills:
The most mentioned cognitive skills that are under the radar are critical thinking, strategic thinking, analytical thinking, and problem solving skills. Critical and analytical thinking as well problem solving skills evolve around identifying a problem and systematically coming to a solution considering different dimensions and constraints. Strategic thinking implies an ability for long and short term thinking as well thinking on a small scale but also being able to look at the bigger picture. This skill of employees is crucial for any business.
Communication and interpersonal skills:
Communication skills that most need improvement are specialized skills that concern interacting with people as well as online teams, collaborating with others and communicating effectively in each context. Ability to work in a team environment became especially important due to the pandemic as people switched from face-to-face team work to a remote team setting. Moreover, an ability to communicate effectively in a business context is also mentioned as an important asset to an employee.
Creativity:
Creativity allows one to adapt to changes, respond to new developments, such as a sudden pandemic, and react in innovative ways. Creativity is a crucial skill for employees to have and to develop. It will be among top 10 skills needed for 2025.
Leadership:
Companies are realizing the importance of leadership skills, not only among C-level managers but also at every hierarchy, as leadership can be practiced at every role and by anyone. Leadership skills comprise a set of different skills that should result in being able to make decisions with other people, so that decisions are aligned to company strategy and corporate culture. Leadership skills are also mentioned among the most important top 10 skills that will be needed for 2025.