2022 Skill Trend: Understanding the Future of Work

As the year 2022 comes to an end, it is a good time to consider which courses and skills were in high demand over the past year. Our large community of over 70 thousand registered learners has shown their interest by enrolling in courses to determine the most popular ones on Edcent, both overall and those newly launched this year.

One of the best ways to improve your chances of getting a good job is to take courses that focus on employability skills, particularly in business, technology, and data science. Some examples of these types of courses include data analytics, project management, UX design, and IT support. As the demand for digital skills continues to grow, it is clear that many students are looking to gain the knowledge and abilities they need to compete for the best employment opportunities.

In general, there was a demand for content related to computer science and data science, as well as material that addressed both personal and professional goals. The study of content writing was also popular, with courses such as Content Writing for Web and Marketing trending in Nigeria, the UK, and Kenya. In Khazzastan and South Africa, courses on becoming a social influencer were in high demand, and Email Marketing: Aweber and GetResponse placed third among students in France.

There is a debate about the future of work and how technology will impact it. Some people believe that technology will automate many jobs, while others think that it will create new, more complex jobs that will require more education and expertise. Still, others think that the future of work will be a mix of automation and job evolution, with some jobs being replaced by machines and others evolving to meet the economy's changing needs.

How do we prepare for this?

A combination of individual effort and collective action will be much required. At the individual level, people can prepare for tech-enabled work by continuously learning and acquiring new skills that will make them more valuable to employers. This might involve pursuing additional education or training through online platforms like Edcent that offer more flexible and accessible learning opportunities.

At the collective level, governments and businesses can play a role in preparing for the future by investing in education and training programs that help people acquire the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. This might involve supporting initiatives that provide access to education and training for underserved communities or investing in programs that help people transition to new careers as the economy changes. Additionally, governments and businesses can work together to develop policies that support workers and help them adapt to the changing nature of work.

What 5 skills do people need to prepare for this?

1. The ability to learn and adapt quickly: The pace of change in the economy is only going to accelerate in the coming years, so being able to learn and adapt quickly will be an essential skill. This might involve staying up-to-date with the latest developments in your field, learning new technologies and techniques, and being open to new ideas and ways of doing things.

2. Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills: As automation and artificial intelligence become more prevalent in the workplace, the ability to solve complex problems and think critically will become increasingly valuable. This will require not only a strong foundation in mathematics and logic but also the ability to think creatively and approach problems from different angles.

3. Excellent communication and collaboration skills: In the future of work, being able to work effectively with others will be essential. This will require strong communication skills, the ability to listen and empathize with others, and the ability to collaborate and work towards a common goal.

4. Digital literacy and proficiency with technology: As more and more work is done using computers and other digital technologies, proficiency with technology will be essential. This might involve being comfortable with a wide range of software and applications, as well as the ability to navigate the digital landscape and use technology to your advantage.

5. A strong work ethic and self-motivation: As the nature of work continues to evolve, the ability to work independently and to motivate oneself will be crucial. This will require not only a strong work ethic, but also the ability to set goals, plan and organize one's time effectively, and persist in the face of challenges.

Top 10 Courses for highly in-demand skills for the future

As industries continue to adopt technologies to make work more efficient and profitable, demand for certain skills continues to increase across sectors, however, we have outlined some of the top courses to learn to stay ahead as shown from our 2022 Africa Career Report and data;

1. Computer science and programming: As automation and artificial intelligence become more prevalent in the workplace, proficiency with technology will be essential. Courses in computer science and programming can help individuals develop the skills they need to work with these technologies and to adapt to the changing demands of the job market.

2. Data science and analytics: The ability to work with and analyze data will be an increasingly valuable skill in the future of work. Courses in data science and analytics can help individuals develop the skills they need to make sense of large amounts of data and use it to make informed decisions.

3. Design and user experience: As more and more products and services are designed with user experience in mind, the ability to design intuitive and user-friendly interfaces will be an important skill. Courses in design and user experience can help individuals develop these skills and prepare for careers in this field.

4. Business and management: As the nature of work continues to evolve, the ability to manage and lead teams will be essential. Courses in business and management can help individuals develop the skills they need to be effective leaders and navigate the complexities of the modern workplace.

5. Communication and Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with others will be crucial in the future of work. Courses in communication and collaboration can help individuals develop the skills they need to communicate effectively, listen and empathize with others, and work towards a common goal.

6. Entrepreneurship and innovation: The ability to think creatively and to bring new ideas to market will be an important skill in the future of work. Courses in entrepreneurship and innovation can help individuals develop the skills they need to identify opportunities, develop and pitch new ideas, and build successful businesses.

7. Psychology and emotional intelligence: The ability to understand and manage one's own emotions and the emotions of others will be an important skill in the future of work. Courses in psychology and emotional intelligence can help individuals develop these skills and prepare them for careers in coaching, counseling, and therapy.

8. Leadership and personal development: As the nature of work continues to evolve, the ability to lead and motivate oneself and others will be crucial. Courses in leadership and personal development can help individuals develop the skills they need to be effective leaders and to thrive in the modern workplace.

9. Foreign languages: The global economy is becoming increasingly interconnected, and the ability to speak and understand multiple languages will be an important skill in the future of work. Courses in foreign languages can help individuals develop these skills and prepare for careers that require them.

10. Sustainability and environmental science: As concerns about the environment and climate change continue to grow, the ability to understand and address these issues will be increasingly valuable. Courses in sustainability and environmental science can help individuals develop the skills they need to work in this field and help shape the future of work.

In summary, the future of work will likely be characterized by a number of challenges, such as the potential displacement of workers by automation and AI, the need for ongoing learning and skill development, the impact of globalization, and the rise of the gig economy, and the need to tackle issues of inequality and discrimination. To succeed in this changing job market, individuals and organizations will need to be adaptable and find solutions to these challenges. As such, it will be important for individuals to develop a range of skills that can help them thrive in the modern workplace.

We are grateful to our international partners for partnering with us to offer Edcent's high-quality learning programs around the world. In 2022, we welcomed more than 20 new partners, including ​Johns Hopkins University, IBM, and Google.

Our goal is to provide African learners with the tools and resources they need to achieve their personal and professional goals while preparing them for global skill recognition, and we are committed to working closely with our outstanding university and business partners to make that happen.