The COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed the way we live, work and think in just one year. When restrictive measures were implemented around the world, there was a bigger need for productive (free) time, so most of us started with learning a new language, a home training program, and generally improving various skills.

The pandemic considerably affected the economy, and certain industries were hit, while others experienced expansion. Regardless of the pandemic, certain trends in the labor market are affected by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

According to the predictions of the World Economic Forum, 50 percent of all employees in the world will have to go through a certain type of training by 2025, in order to adapt to technological development. In addition to the question of how trends will affect labor markets in each country, the question also results in how these trends will affect individuals. Besides, we should talk about the support of the entire education system in the context of preparing young people to enter the labor market, but also providing support to adults who start the learning process to get a job or adapt to existing jobs.

We have become aware that trends of occupations and jobs can change, so it is important to develop knowledge and skills to adapt as easily as possible to the current or some future situation. In this context, we should focus on the skills of the future, rather than on the jobs of the future.

By skill, we consider the ability of an individual to apply certain knowledge he possesses in practice or to successfully solve a certain problem. In practice and our everyday life, we apply many skills that enable us to function optimally. However, what are the skills in the labor market, which are important for each individual, regardless of age, level of education, and sphere of interest?

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

Critical thinking can be explained as a process of assessing the flow of thought or an object, taking into account logical criteria as well as the context in which we observe the object or think. In practice, this means that we need to find information, analyze it, evaluate its truthfulness (or arguments), interpret it, and finally apply it.

We often hear the comment that the education system does not support the development of critical thinking, but that the focus is only on collecting and interpreting information. This skill can be further developed by giving space for discussion, asking open-ended questions, encouraging creativity, connecting information with real-life examples, and so on.

Problem-solving skills include analyzing existing facts and the context in which the problem appeared, finding one or more solutions, and finally, evaluating the solution that was reached and selected. In addition to critical thinking, problem-solving often requires creative thinking.

These two skills often form the basis of innovation in different areas. To create a new solution, we need to critically observe the current situation, recognize what is good in it, and what needs to be changed in some future, similar situation.

SELF-MANAGEMENT - ACTIVE LEARNING AND MENTAL RESILIENCE

Self-management skills allow us to have control over our actions, emotions, and thoughts. The lack of these skills can make us unpredictable, which could be a problem for the future employer or co-workers (if the employee cannot manage himself enough, he can create an unpleasant situation in front of the client or other important partner). Within these skills, we will single out active learning and mental resilience.

What is the ability to actively learn? Active learning is one of the methods used primarily in the education system and requires the involvement of students in the learning process through pre-defined and carefully selected activities. To develop the principles of active learning, it is important to do our best to learn through practice, discover opportunities to apply the knowledge we own, regularly seek feedback, and devote some time to reflecting on the learning process. In that context, this skill refers not only to the acquisition of some knowledge that we need for the exam but also to learning from everyday situations. For example, if we made a mistake in the workplace, it is important to know what we did wrong, how it came about, and try to learn a lesson that we will apply next time.

Mental resilience is the ability to functionally cope with stressful situations. Resilience is often considered as complete resistance to stress and negativity, when in fact it implies the ability to successfully deal with such situations and adapt to new ones. At school, during college, or at work, it helps us cope better with challenges, improves communication with colleagues, and has a preventive effect on burnout syndrome.

DIGITAL LITERACY

Digital literacy refers to the ability to find, use and create information over the Internet in a meaningful and useful way, the ability to work on computers/laptops, but also the use of social networks. The Coronavirus pandemic has shown us how important these skills are, given that a large number of activities from our daily lives are located in the digital and online environment. The Government of the Republic of Serbia has recognized the importance of this skill and in 2019 adopted the Strategy for the Development of Digital Skills, which clearly emphasizes that: Rapid development of new technologies forms the need to use information and communication technologies in all segments of life. Monitoring the ongoing digital transformation leads to the need to master new skills, and many services are increasingly only available through new technologies. In everyday life, we are often forced to use different technologies to perform different activities, and in the world of work, this is especially emphasized to facilitate and improve the work process.

INFORMATION EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS

The ability to evaluate and analyze is directly related to the previous skill. Since we are overwhelmed with information from all sides, it is important to recognize which information and sources are trustworthy. With the increase of activities on social networks, a wide space has opened for the dissemination of false news and information, and the need for knowledge that will help us how to recognize fake news has been recognized. As we critically approach the information we have received, it is important to evaluate the source of the information itself.

PROACTIVENESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS

Taking the initiative often means leaving the comfort zone for many of us. However, we are aware of the speed at which our life takes place and that many circumstances will not wait for us. This skill applies to various aspects of life, both private and business. In the business sphere, we need to be the ones who will start something, regardless of whether it is applying for a training program, applying for a new job, or starting a certain topic in the work environment.