Charting the Skills for the Future: Perspectives from Employers and Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Automation is rapidly changing our workforce and the skills requirements of 21st-century workers. As more job tasks are going to be performed by machines, it is the ones that involve human judgment and interaction that are less likely to be replaced. It is critical for higher education institutions to align with employers in developing, signaling, and documenting skills needed for the modern workforce. This article provides a review on the current skills trend in the workforce, presents findings collected from in-depth interviews of representatives from 41 higher education institutions and 28 employers, and discusses the implications for academic to career transitions.