The demands of the Fourth Revolution or the 4.0 world as it is popularly referred to, is posing an interesting challenge for new graduates and higher educational institutions as they prepare to become more “job ready” in their approach.

The feedback received from leaders, think tanks, to even a Mukesh Ambani or the World Economic Forum (WEF) is that to survive in the 2020 world a particular focus on key workplace skills is necessary. This is a direct shift away from the very core of our educational ecosystem or corporate training landscape that has put emphasis largely on developing key technical competencies over the more intangible workplace skills.

Furthermore, with research indicating that 60% of workplace success is a direct outcome of non-technical skills, the relevance of developing these skillsets has never been more heightened. In a world of constant disruption and unprecedented change, largely on account of technological development and innovation, and with 80% of our graduates slated to be unemployable, how do young career seekers bridge the evident disconnect between corporates and the educational system?

The World Economic Forum (WEF) in their report identifies the Top 10 skills for 2020 as cognitive flexibility, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, creativity, complex problem solving, people management, coordinating with others, judgment and decision making, negotiation, and service orientation. Forbes in their August’18 report added to this to include other key skills such as analytical, awareness and sensitivity, leveraging technology, learning how to learn, readying intelligently and communication.

These are key intangible skills that contribute to 60-70% of workplace success as follows:

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

• Self- Awareness
• Self- Management
• Self- Motivation
• Communication/Social Skills
• Empathy
• Resilience

Behavioural Skills

• Business Etiquette
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Negotiation Skills
• Time Management
• Navigating Difficult Situations
• Relationship Building
• Confidence
• Commercial Awareness
• Decision Making

Other Key Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Problem-Solving
• Cognitive Flexibility
• Creativity/Innovation

The author is Partner in EdpowerU.