Research shows UK professionals want to acquire new skills

Over 65 per cent of UK professionals believe they will need to acquire a new skillset in the next two to five years to do their job.

The research from leadership qualifications provider ILM surveyed 2,000 full-time and part-time workers in the UK.

Demand

The study also revealed the skills that are the most in demand in the workplace, with IT/digital literacy topping the list at 17 per cent.

This was followed by project management and then negotiation, persuasion, and resilience, cited by 15 per cent and 14 per cent respectively.

Learning on the job was the method most favoured by UK professionals, as it was cited by 59 per cent of respondents. This was followed by training on the job at 33 per cent.

Critical

John Yates, Group Director at ILM, said: “Closing the skills gap is a critical leadership challenge.

“Our research shows that most individuals have a strong understanding of their development needs and goals, leaving leaders with a clear opportunity to take a more personalised and collaborative approach to building the essential skills for a successful future workforce.”