WX trends: Why skills are the new currency of workplace success
Our workplace experience (WX) trends series looks at recent news articles, videos, social media posts, and thought leadership pieces on workplace experience. You’ll also hear from our experts on what’s trending.
Forget outdated job titles and degrees – skills are the new workplace currency. To stay competitive, organizations need to embrace a skills-first approach. In this WX trends, we’ll explore what that means, and how to achieve it.
Employees are demanding growth (and they’re walking away without it)
The research shows that today’s workers are hungry to learn and grow. According to Randstad’s 2025 Workmonitor report, 44% would say no to a job that offers no skill development (up by 22% from 2024). And guess what? Almost a third have already quit jobs due to a lack of career development opportunities.
AI is a big driver of this shift. Everyone wants in on the action, with 40% of employees eager to upskill in this area.
Although 64% of employees believe their employers are stepping up to support skilling, gaps remain. Workmonitor found that training initiatives often benefit younger workers and managers disproportionately, leaving mid-career professionals at risk of falling behind.
“For organizations, this is both a challenge and an opportunity,” says Holly Grogan, Chief Experience Officer at Appspace.
“Offering equitable and accessible upskilling opportunities across every level of your workforce is no longer optional – it’s a strategic imperative. Invest in your employees’ development and you’ll not only retain your best people but also keep your competitive edge in today’s rapidly evolving job market.”
The magic mix: Tech skills + human skills
So, what skills are we talking about? Well, it’s a bit of a balancing act.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights a significant shift in the skills employers will value most by 2030. Tech’s rapid evolution, along with more reliance on continuous learning, is driving this change. Companies that anticipate future skill demands will be set to thrive in a fast-changing landscape.
While technological skills like AI, big data, and cybersecurity top the list of in-demand capabilities, success in the future workforce isn’t just about mastering technology, according to the WEF. Soft skills like creative thinking, resilience, adaptability, curiosity, and a commitment to lifelong learning get equal billing. Leadership, talent management, and environmental stewardship are also gaining prominence.
The takeaway? Organizations must prepare their teams to not only navigate change but to be bold and lead it. Striking the right balance between technical expertise and human-centric skills will be essential for long-term success.
Skills-first thinking: The future of hiring (and growing)
Forget outdated job titles and degrees. Organizations are moving from traditional metrics of evaluating talent to a skills-first approach.
This shift, highlighted in a recent Fast Company article, is powered by AI and skills-mapping technologies. These tools help businesses align employee strengths with rapidly changing market needs, ditch outdated job descriptions, and uncover hidden talents.
Cliff Jurkiewicz, VP of Global Strategy at Phenom, notes that skills are now the clearest indicators of whether an organization is ready for the future. AI can analyze everything from work experience to personal hobbies to close skills gaps and inform training and recruitment. Industries like healthcare, finance, and retail are already making the most of these tools to stay competitive and flexible.
This shift isn’t just a trend, says Jurkiewicz. By predicting and preparing for future skill needs, organizations can build space for innovation and resilience.
Leaders are encouraged to involve employees by discussing their learning goals and addressing obstacles. Investors are also paying close attention, seeing workforce skills as a key indicator of long-term success.
What can your organization do to prepare for the future?
Here’s how to capitalize on these trends:
- Invest in skill development programs: Offer equitable training opportunities across all levels of the workforce, focusing on both technical and soft skills.
- Use AI and skills-mapping tools: Use tech to identify hidden talents and align employee capabilities with market demands.
- Champion lifelong learning: Create a culture where continuous development is celebrated, and people are empowered to pursue their learning goals.
- Engage employees in planning: Talk to them about their career goals and help them overcome any learning obstacles.
- Monitor industry trends: Keep an eye on industry trends and adapt your training strategies accordingly.
“The future is unpredictable, says Grogan, “but investing in your people’s development is one of the best ways to build resilience.”
