I would like to draw the attention of EPALE users to a recent The Job Skills of 2023 report by Coursera that draws on insights from 4 million learners across the globe and reveal fastest-growing skills.

The report The Job Skills of 2023^[1] is particularly interesting for two reasons:

1. It focusses on the fastest-growing digital and human skills.
   • Digital skills refer to a range of abilities that allow one to understand, use and create value with and from technology. They include everything from typing to posting on social media to developing software to cybersecurity. Digital skills exist on an ever-evolving spectrum.
   • Human skills constitute our ability to relate to one another. They include a range of cognitive, social, and emotional skills, such as creativity, critical thinking, information interpretation, decision-making, leadership, and communication.
2. The impressive sample from which the data is drawn. As we know, Courser is the biggest MOOC platform in terms of users, and of the more than 113 million total learners on the Coursera platform, this report specifically draws on insights from Coursera’s 4 million enterprise learners across 3,000 businesses, 3,600 higher education institutions, and governments in over 100 countries.

The Skill Trends of 2023, according to the report, are the following:

1. The fastest-growing skills are digital skills. The top ten overall fastest-growing skills are digital skills. The ongoing evolution of technology means employers are regularly seeking new digital competencies from potential hires while also reskilling existing workers.
2. The fastest-growing digital skills are changing more significantly than the fastest-growing human skills. The top ten digital skills vary significantly from last year—only two have carried over year-on-year: data visualization and user experience. The human skills in demand remain steadier, suggesting an evergreen demand for skills like change management and communication.
3. Skills centered on user experience are on the rise. With digitization across all industries accelerating, user experience skills are in high demand as consumers expect their needs to be met rapidly, effectively, and in a user-friendly way. Skills related to customer success tools and user experience design have seen increased interest.
4. Skills that blend technical expertise and project management are new to the list this year. As organizations increase investments in digital skills, having skill sets that help organizations manage and support technical teams is becoming more important than ever to meet internal deadlines and objectives, ensure resources are allocated and managed wisely, and boost efficiency.
5. Skills like data visualization and analysis are growing and can complement traditional human skills like people management and storytelling. As organizations seek to yield value from data-led approaches in teams from IT to HR, being able to understand and use data to communicate effectively is becoming a must-have skill—regardless of career path.
6. Management skills to guide teams through change are among the fastest growing. Managers have been under greater pressure since the pandemic and in a context of greater macroeconomic uncertainty. In response, organizations are recognizing the increasing importance of leadership and management skills necessary to effectively manage change at the individual, team, and organizational level.
7. Communicating with peers, customers, and prospects is key for hybrid work. Sharing information effectively is set to remain a vital skill for learners and organizations alike in 2023. These skills help organizations connect with customers, guide internal teams, and steer strategic discussions

The report also reminds about the following three trends in the skills development practices in the labour market:

1. Economic and political conditions are contributing to a cooling labour market. Optimisation is the new mantra, and with it, a strategic focs on skills development is key for both employers and job seekers.
2. Skills-based approaches to learning and hiring are on the rise.
3. The role of micro-credentials is evolving. While a growing number of employers are removing degree requirements, non-degree credentials are growing in popularity with 90% of students agreeing a professional certificate will help them stand out to employers and 76% of employers stating they are more likely to hire a candidate who has earned one.^[2]