Workers see a need for balance between technical skills and human skills, both on the job and in their learning and development opportunities, according to an. Oct. 21 report from advisory firm Deloitte.
For instance, 3 in 5 workers believe their company focuses more on immediate business needs than on training their teams for long-term success, and 94% of workers expressed concerns that future generations will enter the workforce without the necessary human skills.
“Organizations that overemphasize technical training at the expense of enduring human capabilities — like divergent thinking, emotional agility and resilience — could end up impeding innovation and leaving employees ill-equipped to lead teams, adapt to market opportunities and fully harness the potential of technology,” Anthony Stephan, chief learning officer at Deloitte US, said in a statement.
In a survey of 1,000 full-time U.S. professionals, 87% said they see human skills — such as adaptability, leadership and communication — as a necessary part of their career advancement.
However, only 52% said they think their company values employees with human skills more than those who possess more technical skills. Workers said they want their employers to focus on human skills like teamwork and collaboration, communication and leadership skills more than technical skills such as AI integration and data analysis.
A majority of workers said they want to learn from colleagues, with 61% desiring mentorship programs, 56% wanting quality time with co-workers to build relationships and 57% looking for more on-the-job observation and shadowing opportunities.
Forty-three percent of workers said investment in their growth only happens periodically throughout the year, and 10% reported only receiving learning opportunities when they initiate it.
Despite current concerns about technology and AI tools in the workplace, there are “literally zero” skills where AI could replace a human, according to an Indeed report. Employers can set themselves apart by taking a skills-first approach to hiring and investing in upskilling, the report found.
In fact, human skills still outpace the demand for AI skills, according to a report from Cornerstone OnDemand. The most common human skills-related job postings included communication, interpersonal collaboration and problem-solving, the firm said.
Even so, balancing AI tools with human talent remains challenging for most companies, according to a CompTIA report. Businesses are investing in AI-enhanced HR systems and upskilling employees on AI-related subjects as part of their strategy, the report said.
