*Photo credit: SDI Productions
Our world is constantly changing, and this impacts both our personal and professional lives. Technological advances, environmental challenges and the new demands of the labour market are transforming the way we live, work and interact with one another.
This is the reason why lifelong learning is of such crucial importance. It allows each and every one of us to improve, acquire new skills and adapt to economical, technological and social changes. For companies, investing in the skills development of their employees not only gives them a competitive edge, but is also necessary for their business continuity.
In a time of ecological and digital transition, where each of us must adapt to change and where companies need to optimise their performance, the development of key skills plays a major role in tackling current and future challenges.
Digital skills: skills for a connected world
The digital age is revolutionising many areas, making digital skills essential for studying, working, communicating, accessing online services and staying informed. They include knowing how to use a computer, mastering office software, using messaging applications, understanding data management systems and possessing cyber security skills.
As for companies, it’s important that they offer appropriate training so that employees can familiarise themselves with the digital tools and that they know how to optimise them. Not only do these initiatives give companies a competitive advantage, but they also foster team loyalty. Almost all jobs now require some familiarity with technology, whether it be for communication, project management or data analysis.
Digital skills are an essential catalyst for personal and professional development, and mastering them is essential for navigating our increasingly connected society.
Green skills: a response to environmental challenges
At the centre of many considerations, the transition towards green and sustainable practices is making headway, taking all sectors of the economy with it. For all companies, green skills are becoming essential. They encompass a variety of knowledge and abilities that relate to the sustainable management of resources, reduction of carbon emissions and adoption of environmentally friendly practices.
Companies need to invest in training that raises awareness of and educates employees in sustainable practices. This can include programmes on waste management, energy efficiency, designing eco-friendly products or the development of sustainable development strategies.
Green skills help to build a more sustainable future. They protect the environment, create jobs and promote a fairer society. Investing in these skills is fundamental in allowing us to respond to today’s environmental and social challenges.
Soft skills: putting adaptability and people first
Transversal skills, also known as Soft skills, are increasingly valued and in demand. These are personal and interpersonal abilities that help us interact effectively with others and cope in different professional and social environments. Contrary to technical skills, or Hard skills, they are not specific to a particular profession, but applicable in almost all areas.
In practical terms, this relates to emotional intelligence and the ability to communicate well with colleagues, managers, teams, clients and suppliers. Soft skills can also go further and include effective time management, teamwork, creativity, problem solving, negotiation, professional ethics and leadership.
Companies today are making it a point of honour to recruit employees who are not only competent in their core profession, but who can also interact with their teams in an emotionally intelligent way. These skills are essential for adapting to the rapidly changing labour market and encouraging innovation within teams.
Outside of the professional environment, transversal skills are also crucial in everyday life. They help with better managing personal relationships, resolving conflicts and making informed decisions.
Finding the right training to develop key skills
After the summer break, It’s the perfect time to reflect on both your and your employees’ professional development. Developing key skills - Digital skills, Green skills and Soft skills - not only helps us respond to current challenges, but also prepare for future changes.
The national lifelong learning portal, managed and run by the INFPC, is an essential and valuable resource for guiding individuals and companies through the training procedures. lifelong-learning.lu lists over 13 000 courses offered by 320 approved member training bodies.
All sectors within the Luxembourg economy are represented. Courses can be filtered by training domain, venue, duration, desired level, language, etc. The portal also centralises all the information you need to set up a training plan and to successfully execute your training project.
Access the training courses dedicated to developing digital, green and transversal skills.
