The Importance of Developing Technical Skills and Soft Skills in Youth: Key Competencies for Success

Employment in the 21st century is not as straightforward as it used to be. Technological advancements, changing demographics, and environmental concerns are constantly reshaping the social, economic, and political landscapes.?

Simply having a relevant degree is no longer enough. What employers look for in today’s dynamic environment ranges from hard and digital skills to socio-emotional, advanced cognitive and executive function-related skills.?

According to the Future of Jobs 2023 Report by the World Economic Forum, 94% of employers seek well-rounded individuals equipped with both technical and soft skills.?

Another noticeable trend is the increase of ‘personality hires’. In a 2023 Forbes article , Jack Kelly defines a personality hire as the one who provides the jokes, banter, and playfulness to "set the vibes," which might compensate for any perceived lack of skills. Personality hires truly excel in interpersonal skills, one of the most sought-after traits in new hires among recruiters.

If technical skills ensure competency and performance, soft skills are considered as power skills that help interviewees stand out. This blog will delve into the importance of fostering both these skill sets in young people.

What are Technical Skills?

Technical skills refer to the specialized knowledge and expertise individuals need to complete specific tasks and use specific tools and programs in real world situations. From IT and finance to health care and education, diverse technical skills are essential in just about every industry.?

Why are Technical Skills Important for Youth?

The nature of work is changing, with technology playing a vital role in almost all industries. Despite more and more tasks becoming automated, technical skills are of great importance as they equip young people with the knowledge and tools needed to compete in the job market.?

Bernard Marr, in a 2022 Forbes article , stresses that in hybrid workplaces – where tasks and goals are accomplished through a blend of machine and human power – technical skills are going to be more valuable than ever. Overall, technical skills can open doors to better career opportunities and higher earning potential for the youth.

Measure to Approach and Improve Technical Skills

Here is a step-by-step guide to approaching and improving technical skills:

• Identify your career goals: What are your professional goals? Before upskilling, it is important to recognize what you are working towards - better performance at work, a promotion, a career in a new field, or something else.?

While the job market is unpredictable, a clear vision helps you achieve your goals faster.?

• Determine the technical skills you require: Next, identify the technical skills needed to achieve them. Start by browsing career-building sites like LinkedIn and Indeed.?

Look for job postings in your desired field and go through each job description carefully. This will help you understand the required education, skills, and other qualifications that can help you pursue your goals.

• Review your current skills and identify any gaps: Take a minute to reflect on your skills.?

Ask yourself - which of these matches the requirements of the jobs you want, how many do you already possess, and which ones do you need to learn? Ranking them in the order of importance can help you pinpoint the ones you need to prioritize.?

• Learn new technical skills: There are several ways to build career-specific technical skills. Educational institutions offering STEM-focused programs are a great starting point if you want to ace your technical skills. Several such programs come with a compulsory internship component, where you can earn practical experience in specific fields/professions.

Alternatively, online platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy, are convenient options for improving technical skills, especially for individuals who cannot attend intensive training programs and bootcamps.?

What are Soft Skills?

Soft skills are psychosocial skills. A 2024 New York Post article defines them as non-technical skills that relate to how you work. Soft skills are applicable to any workplace and help you succeed in your career and work well with others.?

In the Future of Jobs 2023 report , the World Economic Forum highlighted several soft skills as ‘high demand’. Consequently, these skills - resilience, agility, flexibility, time management, etc. - help you earn more.

Why are Soft/Power Skills Important for Youth?

Soft skills are essential for building strong relationships and career success. According to a 2020 McKinsey survey , most successful organizations realize how important soft skills are for business continuity and growth. If employees lack soft skills, they might be unable to fulfill the responsibilities of leadership or team collaboration, despite having the right technical skills.

Kelli Hall, head of recruiting at Enova International, a financial technology company, states soft skills are just as important as technical skills because success in the workplace often requires more than the technical ability to do the job. Soft skills are what make the difference.

Measure to Approach and Improve Soft Skills

The soft skills gap is real! Its roots are in the education system; ways of learning in the majority of classrooms don’t encourage working with classmates to solve a problem, ask questions, or suggest out-of-the-box ways of doing something.?

The silver lining? Like hard technical skills, you can learn the soft skills that boost your ability to solve problems, work effectively with others, and maintain a good work ethic.

Engaging in extracurricular activities that promote teamwork, communication, and leadership skills (volunteering, for instance) is a great way to improve soft skills. Participating in public speaking workshops can enhance communication and confidence, while enrolling in online courses or workshops focused on developing specific soft skills like conflict resolution or time management can also help.

The Perfect Balance: Combining Technical and Soft Skills

It’s called a skill set as it consists of both soft and hard skills.?

Hard and soft skills are not mutually exclusive; they complement each other and work together to ensure success. Take a Swiss watch, for instance, where its technical precision (hard skills) is futile without the product’s history and emotional connection (soft skills).

Soft skills are becoming increasingly important due to factors like digital transformation and collaboration. However, they cannot replace technical skills entirely. Striking a balance between developing both types of skills can help you excel in workplaces and adapt with the changing technologies and other requirements.

A mix of hard and soft skills sets young people up for long-term career success, regardless of their desired profession. Dual education (academic studies combined with hands-on internship and work experience) fosters the development of both hard and soft skills. This combination is the essence for achieving success in the ever-changing job market.

End Notes

This blog has created a map for fostering the essential skills while starting one’s career. Here’s the actionable steps you can take as a reader:

• As parents and educators: Encourage young people to explore their interests and identify potential career paths accordingly. Discuss with them the importance of developing both technical and soft skills and guide them on how to hone these skills.

• As mentors: Share your career experiences and insights with young people. Help them figure out areas for skill development and offer guidance on navigating the job market.

• As young adults: Be proactive - explore your interests, set career goals, and actively seek various types of opportunities to develop both hard and soft skills.?

Sources

1. The Power of Soft Skills: Our Favorite Reads
2. Soft Skills for Positive Youth Development - Key Soft Skills | YouthPower
3. Balancing hard and soft skills: Important to balance people and technical skills; know why - Opinion News | The Financial Express
4. The school–work skills gap: How can we better prepare the next generation work force? - The Globe and Mail
5. The Rising Trend of Personality Hires: Balancing Soft and Hard Skills in The Workplace ?
6. Don’t Just Focus on Your Technical Skills. Focus On Your People Skills.
7. The Future of Jobs Report 2023
8. These are the top 10 job skills of tomorrow – and how long it takes to learn them ???
9. The Role Of The Personality Hire Who Brings The Workplace ‘Vibes’ ?
10. What Are Technical Skills? | Coursera ?
11. The Most In-Demand Technical Skills – And How To Develop Them ?
12. Why Soft Skills Are So Important For Employee Well-Being ?
13. Beyond hiring: How companies are reskilling to address talent gaps ?