What Are 21st Century Skills?
As the world we live in becomes more digitised and the speed and volume of information increases, we need a set of skills and abilities to enable us to succed in our careers. These are collectively known as 21st century skills.
The 3 Clusters
21st century skills are focussed on ‘students’, but in reality we are all students, learning different skills and behaviours as we progress our careers. 21st century skills are often grouped into three categories: learning skills, digital literacy skills, and career and life skills.
21st century learning skills, also known as the 4Cs, include:
- Critical thinking and problem solving: The ability to think critically and solve problems is essential in today’s world. We need to be able to identify and analyze problems, develop and evaluate solutions, and make informed decisions.
- Creativity and innovation: Creativity and innovation are essential for success in the 21st century workforce. We need to be able to think outside the box and come up with new ideas and solutions.
- Communication and collaboration: Communication and collaboration are essential for success in all aspects of life. We need to be able to communicate their ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing, and they need to be able to work collaboratively with others to achieve common goals.
- Learning to learn: The ability to learn to learn is essential in today’s rapidly changing world. We need to be able to learn new things quickly and effectively, and they need to be able to adapt to new situations and challenges.
21st century digital literacy skills are the skills that we need to be able to use digital technologies effectively and responsibly. They are often grouped into three categories:
- Information literacy: This is the ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively. It is also about understanding the different types of information resources and how to use them.
- Media literacy: This skill is the ability to understand the different types of media and how they are used to communicate messages as well as the ability to be aware of the ethical and social implications of media use.
- Information and communication technologies (ICT) literacy: This is the ability to use digital tools and technologies effectively such as communicating and collaborating online as well as creating and producing digital content.
21st century career and life skills are the skills that we need to succeed in the 21st century workforce and society. They are often grouped into four categories:
- Flexibility and adaptability: The ability to adapt to change is essential in today’s rapidly changing world. We need to be able to learn new things quickly and effectively, and they need to be able to adapt to new situations and challenges.
- Initiative and self-direction: The ability to take initiative and be self-directed is also essential in today’s world. We need to be able to set their own goals, develop their own plans, and manage their own time.
- Social and cross-cultural interaction: The ability to interact effectively with others, both from their own culture and from other cultures, is also important in today’s globalized world. We need to be able to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and resolve conflict peacefully.
- Productivity and accountability: The ability to be productive and accountable is also essential for success in the 21st century workforce. We need to be able to manage their time effectively, meet deadlines, and produce high-quality work.
The Benefits
These skills are important because they allow everyone to:- Think critically and solve problems effectively
- Communicate and collaborate with others effectively
- Be creative and innovative
- Be flexible and adaptable to change
- Take initiative and be self-directed
- Use technology effectively.
21st century skills are essential for success in the 21st century workforce and society. People who develop these skills will be better positioned to succeed in their career that their counterparts who don’t pay attention to these critial skills.
We incorporate 21st century skills into each and every one of our apprenticeship programmes, giving apprentices a wider and more relevant apprenticeship journey than that on offer from most other training providers. We all know that providing teams with training and development opportunities is fundamental to ensuring long term motivation – often more than a pay rise. Now is an ideal opportunity to upskill your teams, improve employee engagement and drive business improvements all for little or no cost.
Our apprenticeship programs are a great way to stay ahead of the pack in today’s fast-paced business environment and can help you promote a culture of continuous growth and excellence, creating a future that your employees want to be part of.
From management to IT & cyber security, from health and safety marketing to business administration or logistics management, we have you covered. To find out more about how we may be able to help you, or to book a free, no-obligation consultation please email pam@bragd.co.uk or call us on 020 4576 0290.
