Technology skills key to the future, but communication skills most beneficial today

These and other findings about the UKís views of skills were revealed today by lifelong learning charity, the Campaign for Learning, and Reed Learning to mark National Learning at Work Day, Thursday 22 May. The findings were taken from over 500 entries to the BIG LEARN competition. Entrants were asked their thoughts on the most important skills for 2020, and the skills which most benefit their career at present. They were also asked their views on the most and least skilled professions and on learning new skills.

IT skills in all forms were the top choice for the most important skill in the year 2020, with 27% of entrants picking them. Communication skills were close behind (23%) and adaptability (13%) came third.

ëSoft skillsí swept the board when entrants were asked which of their current skills were most beneficial to their career. Communication skills were top, picked by 69% of entrants. Interpersonal skills (42%) and team working (39%) were also popular. Interestingly, only 24% thought that their IT skills were the most beneficial to their career at present. Numeracy came last, with only 6% of entrants selecting it ñ but this may mean entrants feel they donít possess maths skills rather than thinking they are unimportant.

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Nearly all of the entrants (99%) stated they plan to develop their skills in the near future. For the few that did not, the usual barriers of time and money were given as reasons for not learning new skills.

Entrants included employees from a range of sectors and levels, but across the board similar skills gaps were revealed. The same number of people (29%), including near equal numbers of senior managers, administrators and junior staff, admitted to having skills gaps in negotiating, work specific skills and IT Skills.

One question considered entrantsí views of the most and least skilled professions. With 48% of votes, the medical profession was considered by more people to be the most highly skilled (with brain and cardiac surgeons leading the way, but GPs and nurses also getting a mention). Teachers and trainers were also considered to be highly skilled, along with those form the legal profession, scientists and engineers. Interestingly more people thought being a parent was highly skilled (7 entrants) than thought politicians were a skilled bunch (5 entrants)! When it came to the least skilled profession there was a mix of opinions. Many people believe that all professions have some element of skill so could not give an answer to this question. Of those that did answer, cleaners, refuse collectors, factory workers and manual workers were rated amongst unskilled professions. Again politicians were not looked upon favourably, polling only one less vote than manual workers as the least skilled profession!

Tricia Hartley, chief executive of the Campaign for Learning commented, ë As we celebrate national Learning at Work Day across the country today, it is encouraging to note that 45% of entrants feel they have learnt their most valuable skills through work. And with hundreds of workplaces raising the profile of learning today by engaging in activities ranging from creative writing to computer training, even more employees will be able to start learning skills that will help make their future, no matter what it has to offer, a brighter one.í

Hugh Greenway, managing director of Reed Learning said, ëI am happy that our decision to offer multi-format training in the evenings and at weekends has been so resoundingly endorsed. The most important aspect of Learning at Work is reflection and demonstrably more people realise that success in the future will be less about what you can do today and more about what you could learn to do tomorrow.í

For more information on Learning at Work Day visit