Getting Set For The Future Ahead
The reality is that the world has changed and is unrecognisable from the world we once lived in. When it came to teaching in years gone by, children were prepared for life outside of the classroom, where the types of jobs were limited. However, with the limited number of jobs came an understanding of what was required of them. Whether they were going to become gardeners, foremen in a factory or secretaries in an office, the skills required came from everything that they learned in school.
In contrast to this, if we consider the jobs that are out there right now, many of them did not exist just 15 years ago. What this means is that many children in primary school today will enter jobs that currently do not exist. With this comes the challenge of providing them with the right preparation. We cannot see into the future and we cannot predict what the world of employment will bring but how can we help them to prepare as best as possible?
Focus on Key Skills
Whatever jobs are created over the next decades, there is no doubt that they will require basic skills and some of the key skills that children can learn in school today.
If we look at key skills, it is clear to see that they are something that children can carry with them through life. What’s more they are skills that they can call on in any kind of role, even if that role does not exist at this moment in time.
Communication is vital. Whether we do most of it on our smart devices electronically or by phone, the way in which we communicate has changed. Despite this, it is a skill that any role will require because even if someone is working on their own or as a team, they will need to interact with others in some way. Communication can go a long way, particularly when pupils can speak and interact clearly with very few problems.
Problem-solving is another vital skill that can assist the children of today in many roles, even those that are yet to be created. Any industry, regardless of how high-profile or simple the role might be will require problem-solving. The problems can be both intricate or complicated but giving children the ability to call on this skill when they need it will enable them to stand out and get noticed in the workplace.
A growth mindset is a very crucial aspect of preparing a child for a role that does not exist. If someone has a fixed mindset then they will believe that they have reached their potential and that their skillset is set in stone. However, a growth mindset is the perfect skill for the future workplace. If the roles do not yet exist then in the future, they will have to develop, grow and learn new skills. Therefore, a growth mindset will enable them to adapt and evolve, giving them a greater chance of success.