Identifying Critical 21st-Century Skills for Workplace Success: A Content Analysis of Job Advertisements

Abstract

This article extends the literature on 21st-century learning skills needed for workplace success by providing an empirical examination of employers’ direct communication to potential employees via job advertisements. Our descriptive analysis of 142,000 job advertisements provides two contributions. First, this is one of the first studies to empirically rank-order skill demand. In doing so, it is clear that oral and written communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills are in high demand by employers, with particular emphasis on the pairing of oral and written communication. Furthermore, it is apparent that many of the skills suggested in the literature as being critical for workplace success are in very low demand by employers, and some were not found to be mentioned at all (e.g., social responsibility). Second, this study explicitly examined whether 21st-century skill demand varied by job characteristics, which was found to be the case, with differences being noted for both education level and degree field requirements. Results were replicated with a sample of roughly 120,000 job advertisements collected 1 year from the initial data collection. Implications for developing educational standards around 21st-century skill development are discussed.

Industry Perceptionson the Need ofGreen Skills inAgribusiness Vocational Graduates

“…These findings suggest that skills are necessary for agribusiness vocational students who are prepared to be professional workers. In addition, 21st-century learning skills needed for success in the workplace are also in demand by employers, namely verbal and written communication, teamwork, and skills how to solve the problems (Rios et al, 2020). Many education stakeholders have recognised 21st Century skills as a stable and internationally recognised policy framework.…”

Preparing Undergraduate Learners with Skills Required by a Transformative Work Environment

“…In the era of the industrial revolutions, greater emphasis and importance must be placed on human intelligence, with graduates possessing skills to sustain them in an ever-changing world. It was established that the four most in-demand 21 st -century skills were oral and written communication, collaboration and problem-solving (Rios et al, 2020). Both machines and humans will integrate even more during the 5IR, embodying a revolution towards a sustainable future.…”

“…Hence, institutions must promote first-year student success by teaching them what and the way to learn, providing them with opportunities to grow and develop, and equipping them with the necessary skills to be ready for the workforce upon graduation. This is pivotal as student development of 21 st -century skills is needed to promote workforce preparedness and long-term success (Rios et al, 2020). In the work environment, industries and occupations have become redundant in a world that is characterised by automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) and the challenge rests with educators to prepare learners for the future workforce (Rampersad et al, 2019).…”

Introduction

“…Whether it is through implementing innovative changes in the practice of research, exploring the impacts of a single or multisite research program, or shifting the assessment paradigm to uncover new insights into student contributions to research, these articles contribute to understanding undergraduate research as a dynamic and evolving educational practice. These impacts, as we read, extend beyond the field-specific into the broader skill development and knowledge base needed by students who continue on in discipline-specific or professional graduate study and those who enter the workforce (Rios et al 2020; Hart Research Associates 2018).…”