Section 1: Mind The ‘Skills’ Gap

Unlocking potential through technical and human skills

To build a workforce that is both resilient and future-ready, organisations must prioritise two critical skill sets: human and technical skills.

Human skills—such as leadership, communication, adaptability, and problem-solving—drive collaboration, strategic decision-making, and change management. Technical skills, including AI proficiency, data literacy, and digital tools, enable employees to leverage new technologies and optimise productivity.

While AI can generate insights, automate processes, and analyse data, human skills unlock its full potential. According to Microsoft's IDC Brief, 49% of experienced professionals rank problem-solving as their most important skill, followed by communication (45%) and data analysis (44%). These capabilities ensure AI is interpreted effectively, applied ethically, and used to drive business impact. Without investment in human skills, AI alone cannot deliver strategic success.

94% of HR leaders in large businesses say they have addressed human skills gaps, while 92% report focusing on technical and data skills.

Human

Technical

Data

Yet employee experiences paint a different picture.

Only 45% of employees have received training in human skills, with participation dropping to 27% for technical skills and 29% for data skills.

0%

report reskilling or upskilling in human skills

0%

technical skills

0%

data skills

0%

When it comes to data literacy, the disconnect is stark.

Two-thirds (65%) of employees have not received data skills training in the past year.

This gap is most pronounced at the extremes of the organisational hierarchy: 74% of unskilled workers and 72% of executives report no data skills training. The shortfall also affects middle management (57%), junior managers (63%), and skilled workers (64%). Without broad access to data skills training, organisations cannot fully realise the benefits of data-driven decision-making.

0%

Unskilled workers

0%

Executives

0%

Middle managers

For HR leaders, closing skills gaps is the biggest priority to stay competitive in 2025. HR leaders advise the focus is technical skills (80%), human skills (74%), and data skills (66%)

Technical

Human

Data

This highlights the growing need for multi-skilled employees—individuals who can navigate complexity, adapt to change, and integrate human and technical skills to drive impact and meet the demands of an evolving workplace. The next 12 months will be pivotal in developing teams who can perform at critical intersections of business, where change and performance can be a catalyst for success.

The impact of effective training is undeniable: 75% of employees who receive training report positive career development outcomes. The challenge lies in ensuring that every level of the organisation is equipped with the right skills to remain competitive. Closing the alarming divide between strategy and execution calls for a targeted and strategic approach to drive performance and long-term success.

Contribution by David Reed

Next page; Section 2