By now, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “skills are the currency of the future.” But what does that really mean for your career in 2025 and beyond?
As technology and workforce demands change, understanding the specific skill gaps in your desired role and industry is crucial, so you can bridge them through upskilling and avoid being overlooked for career and income opportunities.
Industries Facing the Greatest Talent Shortages
A Global Talent Shortage Survey 2025, conducted by a Singapore-based recruitment agency, highlights the severity of the issue. The study reveals that 83% of employers in Singapore face difficulties in finding skilled talent, while globally, 74% of employers encounter the same challenge.
Major industries, including information technology, healthcare, transportation and logistics, communication services, consumer and goods services, financials and real estate, face a large percentage—around 70-90%—of skill gaps that need to be addressed immediately.
What is the Reason for the Rising Skills Gap?
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, employers anticipate that 39% of core worker skills will change by 2030. This suggests that a significant skill gap is emerging in the workplace. The three primary reasons are:
- The expansion of digital access
- The integration of AI and other advanced technologies across industries
- Environmental sustainability concerns
While these changes create new career opportunities, they also widen what’s known as the skills gap—a mismatch between the skills employers want and those available in the workforce.
Interestingly, for the first time, the top skills that employers are prioritising are not technical. It’s more about developing your soft skills.
Key Future Skills That Are In Demand
Employers frequently struggle to find candidates with strong problem-solving, analytical, leadership, and technical skills. These skills generally fall into three main categories:
1. Cognitive Skills
These skills are vital for enhancing your problem-solving abilities, a key skill required from the outset of your career. Cognitive skills include:
- Analytical Thinking
- Critical Thinking
- Resilience, Flexibility and Adaptability
- Creative Thinking
- Motivation and Self-awareness
- Curiosity and Lifelong Learning
- Systems Thinking
These skills enable you to think critically, adapt swiftly, and approach problems creatively.
According to WEF’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, 69% of companies listed analytical thinking as a top core skill, making it one of the most sought-after skills for three consecutive years.
In an era of massive technological disruptions, developing these skills alongside domain expertise can boost your value.
2. Interpersonal Skills
Despite the AI revolution transforming workplaces, these interpersonal skills remain essential for a job.
- Communication Skills
- Empathy and Active Listening
- Leadership Skills
A report by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) on Skills Demand For The Future Economy highlighted communication skills as one of the core critical skills.
With the rise of hybrid and remote work, active listening and persuasive communication skills become essential in 2025. That’s not all! Good communication and people management skills are key attributes that employers seek in leaders.
And if you think leadership skills are only for senior roles, you might be in for a surprise. With the widespread availability of information and technological disruptions, employers look for leadership qualities in all candidates, regardless of their position.
3. Digital and Technical Skills
While soft skills dominate the top, technical skills and digital literacy remain non-negotiable for most roles.
- Digital Literacy – A basic understanding of new technology and platforms
- AI & Automation Literacy – Understanding how to work with AI and automation tools
- Data Analysis – Ability to collect, process, interpret, and visualise data to extract meaningful insights.
- Coding – Writing and understanding code, building or adapting digital solutions and automating tasks.
- Sustainability and Ethical Awareness – Responsible use and protection of the environment through conservation efforts and sustainable practices.
Data skills, digital literacy and AI skills are the core technical skills employers seek, as artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly transforming business functions.
However, most professionals lack these technical skills, particularly in AI. Consider the accounting and finance sector. A recent ACCA study revealed that only 24% of finance employers believe they possess the necessary AI skills. Forty-seven per cent of respondents admit that their teams lack AI-related skills. 29% are uncertain about their team’s AI readiness.
Due to the pervasive impact of artificial intelligence across various industries, AI skills are not limited to technical roles. They are becoming essential for professionals in diverse fields.
Similarly, a new focus area, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), has become a central topic in boardrooms. Hence, companies also seek professionals with a sustainability mindset—those who can align purpose with profit while understanding the global impact of their business decisions.
How to Build Future Job Skills
What’s clear is that to stay competitive in the coming years, you need to be proactive about your learning and development. Now that you know what skills employers need the most, you can upskill through continuous learning with short courses, certifications, or diplomas.
LSBF’s Higher Diploma in Business Studies provides a structured pathway to gain these essential skills through its comprehensive curriculum. Covering areas such as data analytics and subjects that enhance analytical and communication abilities, you’ll develop a versatile skill set aligned with current employer needs and a steady path for career advancement.
Download the brochure or speak to our consultants to get more details on Higher Diploma in Business Studies.
