In a world that is changing rapidly and constantly presenting new challenges, the ability to adapt and evolve is essential. So-called future skills should enable people to remain capable and confident in this dynamic environment. Carina Dolch, who develops future skills training at C3L, explains which skills will be in demand in the future and how they can be developed.
Carina, what exactly are future skills?
They are future-relevant skills that are important for the world of work and social participation. People often talk about skills that will be relevant in the next five or ten years. However, this fails to recognise that future skills are constantly changing and are already crucial for academic appointments and private life. This can be seen, for example, in digital skills and dealing with artificial intelligence. Future skills are cross-industry competences that enable people to solve problems independently and be able to act in rapidly changing situations.
What skills should be taught?
Interdisciplinary skills and knowledge are at the centre. In addition to digital and technological skills, it is equally about interpersonal skills that allow us to keep pace with the constant changes in the world of work. This involves the following questions, for example: How do I stay motivated in my academic appointment? How can I cope with new tasks and demands? How do I communicate in a results-orientated and constructive way? What do I need to be able to do my job well and successfully?
Who is the further education programme aimed at?
The Future Skills programme is aimed at anyone who is in or about to enter the world of work. Due to the heterogeneous composition of the participants, the further education programmes look at future challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective. At the same time, participants are supported in applying what they have learnt to their own academic appointments. I am sure that managers can benefit just as much from the perspective of students or employees at the start of their careers as vice versa.
What formats are there and which are planned?
The current programmes usually last six weeks and combine flexible online learning with face-to-face workshops in which the maximum of 17 participants can exchange ideas in person. The group size ensures optimal dialogue, the integration of different perspectives and intensive support. All further education programmes are accompanied by experts from practice and academia, sometimes from both fields. In the future, there will be programmes for different time budgets, but overall they will tend to be short and compact. Our aim is to offer quality-assured further education with customised learning paths that are optimally tailored to the needs of the learners.
What courses are on offer?
We currently offer two to four further education programmes in the area of Future Skills each semester, with more being added gradually. The curriculum is constantly being developed. This is the only way we can respond to changing needs. Discussions with company representatives have shown that future skills programmes are considered very relevant. In order to meet the specific needs of companies, the development of customised further education courses is also conceivable.
Contact
Carina Dolch (C3L), T +49(0)441 798-4579, E