Key points
- Alongside AI skills, I recommend developing communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork.
- My advice on digital literacy starts with everyday tasks such as using spreadsheets, organising files and sharing documents.
- I suggest combining study with opportunities to practise through work, volunteering or personal projects.
- When preparing a CV or interview answer, I recommend explaining what you did and what you achieved.
With so much attention on AI at work, I can understand why learning the latest tools might feel like the first priority. But I think that conversation needs to leave room for the other skills employers value: explaining an idea clearly, working through a problem and helping a team get things done.
Those are the skills I’d encourage anyone preparing for their next role to develop. They give you something concrete to talk about on your CV and in interviews.
Knowing how to use a new tool is useful, but I’d go a step further when describing it to an employer. Explain why you chose it, how you used it and what you achieved. That gives them a clearer picture of what you can do.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 places analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility and leadership among the core skills employers value most. I see its global findings as a useful starting point when deciding what to work on alongside technical skills.
For anyone looking to stand out to Yorkshire employers in 2027, these are five skills I’d recommend building.
1. Communication
I’d put communication near the top of the list because it plays a part in so many everyday tasks. Clear communication helps colleagues work together, keeps customers informed and reduces misunderstandings. When a team works across offices, homes and video calls, getting the message across takes thought.
How to build it: I’d suggest volunteering to lead a team briefing, train a new starter or write up a process, then asking for feedback on how clearly you came across. If certain situations are difficult, NCC Home Learning’s Effective Communication course offers a way to explore different approaches and put them into practice at work.
2. Adaptability and a learning mindset
For me, adaptability includes being willing to learn when the job changes. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies resilience, flexibility and agility among employers’ most valued skills. It also reports that curiosity and lifelong learning are expected to keep rising in importance through 2030.
I’d take that as a reason to keep reviewing what needs learning, rather than assuming the skills needed at the start of a job will always be enough.
How to build it: My suggestion is to choose one thing to learn and set aside a little time for it each week. I’d use difficult or unfamiliar tasks at work to narrow down the skill improvement courses most relevant to the role. Short, regular study sessions can be easier to fit around shifts and family life than finding a whole afternoon free.
3. Problem solving
According to the same World Economic Forum report, around seven in ten employers surveyed consider analytical thinking an essential skill. I’d focus on being able to explain how I approached a problem: what information I checked, which options I considered and why I chose a particular solution.
That kind of example gives an employer more to work with than simply listing “problem solving” as a strength.
How to build it: I’d recommend taking on a small project at work or in a community group and seeing it through from planning to finish. A course such as Project Management Level 2 can provide a framework for breaking the work into steps and planning an approach. I’d pair that learning with a real project to practise making decisions and dealing with problems as they arise.
4. Digital literacy
When I talk about digital literacy, I mean more than knowing how to use AI. Organising files, working with spreadsheets and sharing documents with colleagues are practical skills worth developing too. My starting point would be the tools needed to carry out everyday tasks confidently.
How to build it: I’d begin with the digital tasks used most often at work and identify where more practice would help. For someone returning to work or moving into an office-based role, IT Essentials Level 2 RQF can give that learning some structure. I’d also include online safety alongside learning how to use the software.
5. Leadership and teamwork
The World Economic Forum also lists leadership and social influence among employers’ most valued skills. I wouldn’t wait for a manager’s title before looking for ways to develop them. Helping a colleague finish a difficult task or taking responsibility for a shared deadline can provide useful examples of leadership.
How to build it: I’d suggest mentoring someone newer, leading a small project or organising a team activity. For someone preparing for a supervisory role, working through the Principles of Team Leading Certificate RQF alongside those responsibilities offers a chance to apply the learning. I’d also ask colleagues for feedback on how well the tasks were organised and the team was supported.
How to show employers you’ve got these skills
My advice is to give employers examples of when you used a skill and what happened as a result.
- On your CV: I’d focus on measurable achievements rather than a list of responsibilities. If it can be backed up, “Led weekly team briefings that halved miscommunication errors” says far more than “strong communicator”.
- In interviews: I recommend using the STAR method — Situation, Task, Action, Result — to organise specific examples.
- On LinkedIn: I’d include achievements and ask former managers or colleagues for recommendations that reflect the work done together.
Upskilling around real life
I wouldn’t assume that developing these skills means returning to full-time education. Volunteering, work placements, personal projects and feedback can all form part of a learning plan.
In Yorkshire, I’d look at local colleges and community learning programmes as well as online options. For anyone juggling work, childcare or caring responsibilities, flexible study may be easier to fit around existing commitments.
My suggestion is to pick one skill and decide how to practise it over the next month. That might mean asking to lead a briefing, helping with a project or setting aside time for a course. I’d start with something manageable and review the progress before choosing the next step.
Frequently asked questions
Which skills should I develop alongside AI skills?
I’d consider communication, adaptability, problem solving, digital literacy and leadership. My starting point would be job adverts for the roles you want, using the tasks and requirements listed to decide which skills deserve attention first.
How can I show these skills if I have little work experience?
I’d look for examples from volunteering, education, caring responsibilities or personal projects. Organising an event, resolving a group disagreement or managing a budget can provide something useful to discuss. I recommend explaining your own contribution and what happened as a result.
Do I need a qualification to demonstrate these skills?
I’d first check whether the role requires a particular qualification. A course can help develop knowledge, but I’d also prepare practical examples showing how that knowledge has been applied.
How can I fit upskilling around work and family life?
My advice is to choose one skill and set aside a manageable amount of time each week. I’d look for opportunities to practise through existing tasks as well as study. Before enrolling on a course, I recommend checking its deadlines and expected study hours.
Can I demonstrate leadership without being a manager?
Yes. I’d use examples such as helping a new colleague, organising a shared task or taking responsibility for a project. The important details are how you supported others and helped the team achieve its goal.
Nick Cooper
Nick has contributed to NCC Home Learning for several years, writing about education, qualifications and career development. His articles help readers understand their study options and plan their next steps. Outside work, he enjoys gaming and watching films with friends.
NCC Home Learning is an international learning provider with more than 20 years’ experience. It has worked with over 20,000 employers and delivered training to more than half a million learners.
