Written By
Wyn Pritchard
Chair
Skills.Wales
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In today’s rapidly evolving job market, a crucial challenge we face is ensuring that educational pathways are not just responsive to current industry demands but are also anticipatory of future needs.
This is particularly the case in sectors like sustainability and green skills, where we must train our youth not for the needs of today but for the realities of 2026 and beyond. This foresight involves a shift from traditional skills to more technology-focused capabilities, encompassing areas such as robotics, drones, and other tech-driven fields.
Our young people are often digitally savvy, many possessing skills honed not in classrooms but through leisure activities such as gaming. This natural proficiency with digital technology is a potential goldmine that we need to tap into. The challenge lies in translating these informal skills into formal qualifications and job competencies that are recognised and valued in the workplace, especially in high-tech industries that are poised for growth.
The relationship between employers and colleges is critical, yet there remains a disconnect between the skills taught and the skills needed. Employers sometimes struggle to articulate the evolving skill sets they require, while educational institutions may not always adapt their curricula quickly enough to meet these changing demands. To address this, we need to develop frameworks that better facilitate communication and alignment between the two parties.
The shift towards a more tech-driven economy, particularly in sectors like renewable energy and sustainable technologies, requires us to rethink how we educate and train our youth. We must be agile and forward-thinking in our approach to education and workforce development.
By fostering better alignment between educational output and industry requirements, and by capitalising on the innate digital skills of our youth, we can ensure that the workforce of the future is not only equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow but is also enthusiastic about the opportunities that lie ahead.
