INTHEBLACK December 2025 / January 2026 - Magazine - Page 8
NUMBER CRUNCH
FA S T F O C U S
WORDS SUSAN MULDOWNEY
70%
A$125.4b
of employers view analytical thinking as the most
sought-after core skill in 2025. This is followed
by resilience, flexibility and agility.
The expected value of the global soft-skills training
market by 2032, up from A$44.7b in 2023.
Source: The Future of Jobs Report 2025, World Economic Forum
Source: 2025 Talent Trends report, Robert Walters
5 SKILLS TO THRIVE IN THE AI ERA
With artificial intelligence (AI) on the rise
in the workplace, what are the most important
skills to develop right now? According to
recruitment firm Randstad, it is time to invest
in the skills that AI cannot replicate.
1. Emotional intelligence: Human connection,
empathy and trust is integral, especially
in leadership, customer-facing
and team-based roles.
2. Critical thinking: The ability
to challenge assumptions,
evaluate context and make
nuanced decisions.
3. Creativity and
innovation: Bringing
a creative approach to
problem solving will help
professionals become
future-proof.
4. Communication and
collaboration: If AI can take care of
mundane, repetitive tasks, people skills such as
navigating team dynamics, resolving conflict or
building culture will help professionals stand out.
5. AI literacy: View AI as a friend, not foe.
Employers will expect professionals to engage
with AI, but carefully evaluate its output.
Read the article
8 INTHEBLACK Dec 2025/Jan 2026 SPECIAL EDITION
MENTORSHIP MATTERS
TO YOUNG WORKERS
By 2030, almost 75 per cent of the workforce
will be comprised of Millennial and Generation Z
workers. What five skills and capabilities do they
see as most important for their career growth?
1. On-the-job learning and practical experience
2. Mentorship and guidance from experienced
colleagues
3. Feedback and performance reviews
4. Peer learning and collaboration
5. Formal training programs.
Read the survey
