LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION: TOP SKILLS IN DEMAND

Employers sometimes struggle to find candidates with the right skills. There are many job specific and general skills that employers want from new and existing staff. The table below shows skillsets that have been mentioned more often in online job vacancies. These skillsets highlight skills, qualifications or competencies that are more prominent in jobs recently. They often reflect growth sectors (e.g. more logistics skills are mentioned reflecting the rise in internet commerce and deliveries).

The top 10 skillsets named in job vacancies include:

• Decision Making              
• Sales
• Writing
• Research & Data Analysis
• Computer Literacy
• Written Communication
• Coordination & Operations
• Problem Solving 
• Auditing               
• Supply chain
• Planning   

These skills, qualifications or competencies are varied and general but many of them provide an indication into the job related skills desired by employers. For example, data analysis can be used in retail (to assess trends in shopping) or construction (to ensure that building work is efficient).

Transferable skills can make you really stand out to employers, even if you don’t have specific experience in their industry. If you don’t have any previous work experience, these can also be gained from hobbies, voluntary work or even playing sport. You are likely to have a whole set of valuable skills you can take with you from one job to another.

It’s worth knowing what skills are most wanted by employers so you can highlight them in upcoming job applications. 

1. Creativity
   
   Whether you come up with a new, inventive idea or find a solution to a difficult problem, thinking outside of the box and displaying creativity can make a real difference in many jobs.
   
   
2. People Skills
   
   Convincing others and listening well are really valuable, particularly in customer service and sales jobs.
   
   Working as a team not only drives greater productivity for the business, but it also builds healthy and supportive relationships to make it a great place to work.
   
   
3. Adaptability
   
   Being adaptable means you are able to respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, and other processes at work. It’s a good way to show you’re flexible and eager to learn.
   
   
4. Leadership
   
   Being someone who can coach, empower and support those around you is a great skill in the workplace. It helps you get the best out of the team you are working in.
   
   
5. Time management
   
   Being able to monitor your workload and meet deadlines is an important skill in any job, and it helps you make the most of your time to accomplish more in shorter periods.

We are encouraging schools and students to use the Skills Builder framework to think about skills and progression; visit the Skills Builder Website.

Looking at the longer term, the World Economic Forum believes by 2025 a range of skillsets will be more in demand. Greater adoption of technology will mean in-demand skills across jobs change over the next few years. Critical thinking and problem-solving top the list of skills that employers believe will grow in prominence in the next five years.

 

_{The table data can be found on the World Economic Forum website}