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BY William Van Zyl
Published on July 20, 2024.
In the rapidly evolving 21st-century landscape, employers’ skills requirements have significantly shifted. The World Economic Forum (2015) highlights key competencies that are essential for modern workplaces, including solving real-life problems, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, innovation, teamwork, and communication. This literature review explores these skills, synthesising relevant research and insights into their importance and application in contemporary employment contexts.
Table of Contents
Solving Real-Life Problems
Solving real-life problems is a crucial skill for the 21st-century workforce. According to the World Economic Forum (2015), employers value employees who can effectively tackle complex, real-world issues. This skill requires a combination of analytical thinking, resourcefulness, and practical application of knowledge. Jonassen (2011) emphasises that problem-solving skills are foundational for professional success, enabling individuals to navigate challenges and devise viable solutions. Furthermore, the ability to solve real-life problems is closely linked to other critical skills, such as critical thinking and creativity (Jonassen, 2011).
Collaboration
Collaboration is another key competency the World Economic Forum (2015) identified. In an interconnected and globalised economy, working effectively with others is paramount. Collaborative skills involve working with colleagues, engaging with diverse teams, and leveraging collective expertise to achieve common goals (Johnson & Johnson, 2009). Research by Smith et al. (2005) indicates that collaboration enhances productivity and innovation by bringing together varied perspectives and fostering a cooperative environment.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is essential for navigating the complexities of modern workplaces. The World Economic Forum (2015) underscores the importance of critical thinking as a means to analyse information, assess situations, and make informed decisions. Facione (2011) defines critical thinking as a purposeful, self-regulatory judgment that results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference. This skill is critical for addressing the multifaceted problems that arise in professional settings, enabling employees to develop well-reasoned solutions and strategies (Facione, 2011).
Creativity and Innovation
Creativity and innovation are highly valued in today’s dynamic work environment. The World Economic Forum (2015) highlights these skills as essential for driving progress and maintaining a competitive edge. Amabile (1996) asserts that creativity involves the production of novel and useful ideas, while innovation encompasses implementing these ideas. Companies increasingly seek employees who can think outside the box and contribute to developing new products, services, and processes (Amabile, 1996).
Teamwork
Teamwork is a fundamental skill that underpins successful collaboration and productivity. The World Economic Forum (2015) notes that effective teamwork involves working harmoniously with others, sharing responsibilities, and contributing to collective goals. Katzenbach and Smith (1993) highlight that high-performing teams are characterised by strong interpersonal relationships, mutual accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence. Teamwork is crucial for achieving organisational objectives and fostering a supportive work culture (Katzenbach & Smith, 1993).
Communication
Communication skills are vital for effective collaboration and problem-solving. The World Economic Forum (2015) identifies communication as a core competency that enables employees to convey information clearly, listen actively, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Effective communication is essential for facilitating teamwork, resolving conflicts, and ensuring that ideas and solutions are understood and implemented (Brownell, 2012). Research by Hargie (2011) demonstrates that strong communication skills are correlated with improved job performance and professional relationships.
Conclusion
The skills highlighted by the World Economic Forum (2015) – solving real-life problems, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, innovation, teamwork, and communication – are indispensable for success in the 21st-century workplace. These competencies enable employees to navigate complex challenges, contribute to collective efforts, and drive organisational innovation. As the nature of work continues to evolve, the importance of these skills is likely to increase, making them essential for both current and future professionals.
Citing this Article:
Van Zyl, W.N. (2024). Literature Review: 21st Century Skills Required by Employers. Five House Publishing. Link: https://fivehousepublishing.com/literature-review-21st-century-skills-required-by-employers/
References
Amabile, T. M. (1996). Creativity in context: Update to the social psychology of creativity. Westview Press.
Brownell, J. (2012). Listening: Attitudes, principles, and skills (5th ed.). Pearson.
Facione, P. A. (2011). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. Insight Assessment.
Hargie, O. (2011). Skilled interpersonal communication: Research, theory, and practice. Routledge.
Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2009). Joining together: Group theory and group skills (10th ed.). Pearson.
Jonassen, D. H. (2011). Learning to solve problems: A handbook for designing problem-solving learning environments. Routledge.
Katzenbach, J. R., & Smith, D. K. (1993). The wisdom of teams: Creating the high-performance organization. Harvard Business Review Press.
Smith, K. A., Sheppard, S. D., Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2005). Pedagogies of engagement: Classroom‐based practices. Journal of Engineering Education, 94(1), 87-101.
World Economic Forum. (2015). New vision for education: Unlocking the potential of technology. World Economic Forum.
About the researcher:
William N. Van Zyl (Self-portrait – watercolours and ink wash).
William has been a Technology teacher for the past 32 years with experience in Design and Visual Communication (DVC), Education for Sustainability, Electronics, Building Construction, and Design Technology. He also owned a design construction business for eight years, creating plans, renovating, and constructing new buildings. Hence, his interest in sustainable architecture, the application of biomimetics (asking nature how), and biophilic design. His planned future research will be focused on implementing microprocessors like the Microbit, Arduino Uno, IoT, and AI in a secondary school context to develop problem-solving skills. His other interests are creative writing and writing articles. See some of his published articles at https://fivehousepublishing.com/. He also enjoys space exploration, astronomy, art (watercolours and ink sketches), urban sketching, remote-controlled planes, archery, target shooting (air rifles), aquariums, and spirituality.
