Durable Skills: The Foundation for Career Resilience

The American job market feels like a pressure cooker. The unemployment rate is at its highest since 2021, job growth has slowed nationally and wage growth is stagnant. To future-proof careers, the American talent economy must look inward for new skills, particularly to leverage technology effectively in their roles.

Acquiring stackable credentials in AI and technology, coupled with the ability to apply these tools practically, is crucial for career stability. In a survey by McKinsey, 78% of respondents noted their organizations use AI in at least one business function, underscoring the importance of technology skills. However, a report from DeVry University reveals something even more fundamental: soft skills are the new job security.

Soft skills, or durable skills, as I like to call them, are lifelong traits and talents applicable to any job in any industry. They focus on the intrinsic human qualities that make for successful professionals, including critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, adaptability and collaboration. In fact, DeVry’s report found that employers reported that critical thinking and problem-solving were the top skills they look for in prospective employees.

Durable Skills: The Deciding Factor

DeVry’s report indicates that the absence of durable skills can be a major roadblock on one’s career trajectory, as 39% of employers rank a lack of durable skills as a leading reason for employee dismissal. This finding underscores the importance of these skills as part of the foundation of career success.

In addition, 70% of employers report that durable skills are often the deciding factor in promotion decisions. These skills underpin the way that people acquire more advanced technical skills through communication, critical thinking and adaptability. Durable skills should be viewed as the mechanism to future-proof one’s career.

Bridging the Gap: Technical Skills vs. Durable Skills

Although a staggering 78% of employers agree on the importance of durable skills, concerns about technical skills remain and 66% of employers reported concern about their workers’ ability to keep up with AI. Workers, too, highly value AI skills, but often lack clarity on how to utilize them effectively. This finding illustrates the need to nurture durable skills and offer practical guidance and training, enabling workers to unlock their full potential when using modern technologies.

The path forward lies in finding a middle ground between durable and technical skills. Technical skills undeniably hold increasingly strong relevance, as 62% of employers report reconsidering hiring decisions due to the evolving technical skill requirements. However, durable skills provide the foundation to build the technical skills needed for success.

Elevating Micro as the New Macro

DeVry’s report revealed that workers are already regular users of AI at work, but many employers felt out of their depth in terms of training. With the creation of new, technology-driven roles, the need for direct, practical guidance is critical, and the ability to create such guidance is a durable skill widely needed in every industry.

To take full advantage of the possibilities unlocked by durable skills, workers should hone their critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities—traits that artificial intelligence struggles to replicate. This balance between human qualities and technical skills are attractive traits for promotion and retention. To further refine their skills, workers can engage with continuous learning and hands-on projects to foster their resiliency, starting with what’s offered by their employers.

Employers should celebrate the nuanced judgment and ethical reasoning that only humans can provide by promoting the use of AI while remembering the human at the center of the work. Employers can also help provide clear guidance around how and when to use AI, providing a safe space for workers to build upon their technical skills.

By empowering AI technology skills, fostering further critical thinking, as well as championing continuous learning, organizations can unlock the full potential of human and artificial intelligence. Organizations that prioritize durable skills and create a supportive environment for workers to develop new skills will not only cultivate a more resilient workforce but also unlock a competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving landscape.

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Dave is focused on aligning DeVry leadership and talent to achieving the University’s most important work, while also helping its partners with talent strategies to do the same. He has responsibility for leading our DeVryWorks partnership strategy, while also driving the direction of Human Resources, Public Relations, Communications and Alumni Relations efforts for the University. Barnett previously was DeVry’s Chief Human Resources and University Relations Officer when his primary lens included identifying, attracting and engaging key talent with a focus on driving exceptional learner and partner outcomes. He also oversaw the communications architecture designed to inform and build a culture of care with colleagues, students and alumni, and foster goodwill with the community and other stakeholders.