A new year for change
When the new year rolls around, many people create resolutions. You know the ones – Go to the gym more often, eat more salads, etc. While these kinds of resolutions are great, it’s also a good idea to think about how we shape our careers. After all, the world of work is changing all the time. The beginning of a new year is a good time to start thinking about identifying and building your skills – and take stock of how durable your skills are. When something is durable, it means it can withstand shocks and survive.
The shocks are already here. Think about the anticipated disruption to Canada’s workforce by technologies such as AI, and it’s no wonder that policymakers and pundits are stressing the need for a new approach to skills development to meet the challenges of 2025 and beyond.
The changing skills landscape
The skills Canadians are bringing to the workplace are different than they used to be. Until recently, traditional training from universities, colleges, and technical institutes emphasized so-called hard skills. Hard skills are the technical skills required for success in the skilled trades, software and network engineering, or in any STEM occupation.
Over time, employers and analysts have recognized that hard skills aren’t enough. Canadian workers and businesses in all areas need teams with great soft skills, too.
Soft skills include things like being able to listen and communicate well and think critically. Curiosity and a desire to learn are also soft skills. These skills are also transferable from one part of your career to the next. More and more, Canadian employers say they need talent with great soft skills.
But what about these so-called durable skills? What are they, and why are they so important for your future career growth?
Durable vs. perishable skills
The latest way of thinking about skills asks if they are durable or perishable. Rather than focus on the difference between hard and soft skills, think about whether your skills are adaptable in the face of a rapidly changing workplace. If they are not, it means they are perishable.
Many hard skills have a limited shelf life. These can be skills attached to a particular technology, way of doing things, or even to a unique workplace. The point is that these skills are easily forgotten and can become outdated.
On the other hand, durable skills are ones you can bring from one career to another. And, most importantly, they last longer in the workplace.
Durable is the new soft
Even though durable skills are important for success, they can be harder to measure or even write down on your CV. That’s because many of the skills we think of as durable are also the ones we tend to describe as soft.
Good examples of these durable soft skills are things like communication, teamwork, active listening, empathy, collaboration, and troubleshooting. What makes these skills durable is the fact that they will be critical for your success in a volatile and changing job market. They are also the kinds of skills that will boost your ability to adapt and be resilient in the face of change.
Take stock of your skills
So how do you know which of your skills are durable? Where can you start to grow the critical soft skills you need for the future? A great place to begin is at Upskill Canada’s AI-powered skills assessment Hub.The Hub helps you identify your durable skills and connects you to exciting upskilling opportunities through Upskill Canada.
Whether you want to build a new career in the tech industry or advanced manufacturing, or jump into the world of digital and precision agriculture, these fast-paced programs offer the right balance of industry-led training and focused 1:1 mentorship and coaching. By helping you build your skills, upskilling programs put you in the driver’s seat when it comes to managing change and career growth for the 21st century.
