The top 10 fastest-growing workplace skills in 2020

The top 10 workplace skills in 2020. Source: Getty

The digital revolution is upon us, and over the next decade, data analytics and artificial intelligence will be a huge component of any workplace.

Currently, there is a 154,000 gap between the 6,600 workers currently specialising in AI and the 161,000 needed in the future.

But while tech skills will be important, so will the growth of soft skills.

According to recruitment firm Robert Half director Andrew Brushfield, soft skills are a deal-breaker when it comes to getting a job.

• Also read: Why tech skills aren’t the key to success in a digitalising workplace

• Also read: 10 skills you won’t need by 2022 — and 10 you will

“At the end of the day, you can show someone how to use a program, but you can’t teach them to be a good cultural fit,” he said.

Here are the top 10 fastest-growing soft skills in 2020 according to online learning platform, Udemy:

The top 10 fastest-growing soft skills in 2020

1. Growth mindset

2. Creativity

3. Focus mastery

4. Innovation

5. Communication

6. Storytelling

7. Culture awareness

8. Critical thinking

9. Leadership

10. Emotional intelligence

“It’s increasingly important for employees to adopt a growth mindset of continuous learning and be open to change in the workplace,” the Udemy report stated.

“While skills training is key, building an organisational culture and leadership to nurture innovation and creativity is also critical.”

Employees are leaning into their innately human skills and what robots can’t do, they stated, which places critical thinking, communication, storytelling, and emotional intelligence at the top of the list of fastest-growing soft skills.

According to recruitment firm Hays’ managing director Nick Deligiannis, in 2020, employers will be on the hunt for people who can make data-based decisions, adapt well to change and are continuous learners.

“We expect to see high demand for several IT skills in 2020,” said Deligiannis. At the top of the list is data scientists, data engineers and data analysts with experience in SQL, R or Python.

“Data scientists with big data experience in Hadoop will also remain widely sought after. The need for data science and analysis skills will only continue to grow as organisations look to solve problems and make more informed business decisions through better utilisation of their data.”

Here are Udemy’s top 10 fastest-growing tech skills in 2020:

The top 10 fastest-growing skills in software and tech in 2020

1. Microsoft AZ-900

2. Express Framework

3. Professional Scrum Master

4. Salesforce Certified Administrator

5. RESTful API

6. Azure Logic Apps

7. Malware

8. Digital transformation

9. Google Flutter

10. Visual Studio Code

According to Udemy, there’s been a shift towards AI and data science skills over the past 3 years.

And given machine learning apps are “the muscle” behind AI, platforms like Microsoft AZ-900, which work on the cloud, and Express Framework have topped the list for 2020.

“The software and technology sector is upskilling in a range of skills including web development (e.g. Express Framework, Google Flutter), Agile project management, Microsoft Azure cloud skills, and digital transformation,” the report stated.

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