Education: Trends that will revolutionise 2019 workplace

Parents buys new books at the Savanis Book Centre,Nairobi . Public Schools reopened on the 3rd January,2019 to start the first term syllabus . [Elvis Ogina.Standard]

As we ring in the new year, it’s key to look ahead and think about the ways in which learning will change in 2019, and how those changes will affect the workplace.

In 2018 we discussed the increasing value of soft skills; how skills transformation is affecting the way we work; and the rise of the non-linear career path. These topics will continue to be debated in 2019. These are some key trends to keep an eye on this year:

Education emphasising hybrid skills - The jobs of the future will require a hybrid set of skills from a variety of subject areas that will change several times. This means that studying one subject at college for four years may not make sense for all - as such, higher education degrees must also adapt by creating flexible and customisable credential offerings.

There will be growth in modular learning and education due to its ability to allow students to personalise the skills and knowledge learned to suit their needs and career goals. Education goes omnichannel. In today's connected world, consumers expect to have anything they want available at their fingertips, and education is no different.

Workers expect to be able to learn on-demand, getting the skills and knowledge they need in that moment, to be able to apply it as soon as possible.

Moving fluidly between working and learning, without having to take time off to go to - or back to - school will become non-negotiable.

In addition, learners will demand omnichannel experiences that allow them to combine in-person with online learning experiences. Online learning programmes will be designed with this fluidity in mind, allowing learners to immediately put their knowledge to work on the job, while working towards a credential or degree.

Education underscoring soft skills remains critical. The shelf life of hard skills will become shorter as technology advances more rapidly, and inputs become more automated.

Soft skills or power skills, including collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and the ability to make quick decisions, will increasingly be sought out by hiring managers.