The workforce is in a state of evolution, from AI forcing companies to rethink how they do business to economic policies causing uncertainty across industries. As you think about the direction of your career in the years to come, it’s important to choose the right skills to build in order to evolve with these changes.

The World Economic Forum recently published its 2025 Future of Jobs Report, which gives insights to the most in demand skills today, as well as what workers should be planning for by 2030.

The State of Job Skills in 2025

Today’s workforce trends strike a balance between technological/AI skills and communication skills. Management abilities are also in demand across industries in 2025. You’ll see these skill sets broken down into four primary categories:

Attitudes

• Resiliency, flexibility, and agility
• Curiosity and lifelong learning

Cognitive skills

• Analytical thinking
• Creative thinking

Managements skills

• Resource management and operations
• Talent management

Technology skills

• AI and big data
• Technological literacy

While many of these skills are still expected to be needed in 2030, there’s a clear shift in focus to more tech-heavy abilities, as well as leadership skills.

The Top 10 Job Skills Needed by 2030

Get inspired by the 10 most in demand job skills that will be required by 2030.

#1: AI and Big Data

AI and big data are expected to grow in importance over the next five years. It’s a trend set to sweep across all industries; in fact, more than 90% of the 10 largest industries expect to see growth in this field.

Here are the top five with the highest level of need for this skill set:

• Automotive and aerospace
• Telecommunications
• Professional services
• Information and technology services
• Insurance and pensions management

#2: Networks and Cybersecurity

Building your skills in networks and cybersecurity could pay off in the years to come. They have not been in demand through 2025, yet it’s one of the biggest increases in need expected by 2030.

These are the industries that need network and cybersecurity skills the most:

• Financial services and capital markets
• Automotive and aerospace
• Medical and healthcare services
• Supply chain and transportation
• Telecommunications

#3: Technological Literacy

Technological literacy is another top-growing skill and is replacing the need for programming. It’s built into the growth of AI and digital access as a whole. The areas most in need of data-driven tech skills include:

• Financial services and capital markets
• Insurance and pensions management
• Medical and healthcare services
• Automotive and aerospace
• Supply chain and transportation

#4: Creative Thinking

Creative thinking augments the previously mentioned tech skills that will dominate the future workforce. It’s replacing the need for more hard-skills like manual dexterity and will help businesses gain a competitive edge and survive economic uncertainty.

These industries are most interested in hiring creative thinkers:

• Insurance and pensions management
• Education and training
• Medical and healthcare services
• Telecommunications
• Real estate

#5: Resilience, Flexibility, and Agility

Resiliency is expected to become increasingly important as businesses are forced to navigate disruption in global trade. They’ll need resourceful employees who can innovate regardless of external forces, particularly in the following fields:

• Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
• Telecommunications
• Information and technology services
• Insurance and pensions management
• Automotive and aerospace

#6: Curiosity and Lifelong Learning

Businesses want employees who can continually grow and learn no matter what challenges or technological developments arise. Curiosity and lifelong learning will be particularly crucial for:

• Education and training
• Insurance and pensions management
• Telecommunications
• Real estate
• Information and technology services

#7: Talent Management

As many industries face a looming retirement cliff, they’ll need strong talent management professionals to attract and retain the best talent out there. This skill set is especially important in these fields:

• Automotive and aerospace
• Mining and metals
• Chemical and advanced materials
• Infrastructure
• Supply chain and transportation

#8: Environmental Stewardship

Environmental stewardship has not been a high-demand skill up until 2025, but that’s expected to change by 2030. Businesses in all areas realize the need to balance their financial goals as well as sustainability efforts, especially in:

• Oil and gas
• Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
• Chemical and advanced materials
• Automotive and aerospace
• Mining and metals

#9: Leadership and Social Influence

This skill set reflects the growing importance of finding and keeping the right people in an organization. While tech-savvy skills are a must, there’s still a place for human-based soft skills to keep businesses well-staffed and on track with their strategies.

These industries see a particular need for leadership and social influence skills:

• Telecommunications
• Automotive and aerospace
• Medical and healthcare services
• Information and technology services
• Education and training

#10: Analytical Thinking

Analytical thinking complements the world of big data and AI as businesses will have more information than ever to inform decision making. This skill will be in high demand in the following fields:

• Education and training
• Supply chain and transportation
• Telecommunications
• Automotive and aerospace
• Agriculture, forestry, and fishing

Future-Proof Your Career With the Right Skills Today

It’s never too late to think about the skills you’ll need to level up your career in the near future. Consider your current industry and the changes expected in the upcoming years. The good news is that many of these in demand skills don’t need intensive four-year degrees. You can create a strategic plan using a variety of resources that fit your schedule and budget.

Ready to get started? Find out how EdAssist can help you make a plan that gets you excited for the next phase of your career.