'Investing in people's growth is no longer a perk but a strategic imperative'
Nine in 10 (91%) employers in the Asia-Pacific region are planning to enhance their workforce's skills and abilities this year as qualifications shift to both hard and soft skills in the wake of AI transformation.
LinkedIn's latest research revealed that HR professionals in APAC are offering online training programmes (44%) and internal learning and development sessions focused on generative AI (43%) to prepare their employees for the future world of work.
The findings come as 88% of employers said they are starting to see changes in the skills and qualifications they prioritise in job candidates following the impact of AI in workplaces.
In fact, the top five skills that hiring managers look for in job candidates are now a combination of hard and soft skills, including:
- Problem-solving abilities (35%)
- Communication skills (27%)
- Critical thinking (25%)
- AI skills (19%)
- IT & web skills (17%)
Shift to soft skills
These changes are likely to expand further, as the report found that skills needed for a job will still likely change by 68% by 2030 due to the impact of AI.
Feon Ang, vice president, LinkedIn Talent Solutions and Managing Director, APAC, pointed out that the past year has been about strong demand for AI expertise following the technology's widespread adoption in workplaces.
"However, we are now witnessing a pronounced shift towards skills - both technical and soft skills - to thrive in the era of AI," Ang said in a statement.
"Investing in people's growth is no longer a perk but a strategic imperative, considering that our workforce is the driving force behind companies' success in an era shaped by both AI innovation and collaboration with AI."
Culture of learning
The recent push to invest in employees' skills has also driven the culture of learning across workplaces, which is also beneficial in retention and attraction.
Learning and Development professionals in the LinkedIn survey revealed that the culture of learning has soared to become their top priorities in 2024.
In fact, 92% of L&D professionals say they can show business value by helping employees gain skills to move into different internal roles.
This becomes critical as the LinkedIn report also found that internal mobility will be important in attracting and retaining top talent, with 37% of hiring managers saying career growth will be key to retention.
Nearly half (49%) of APAC employers also believe that providing opportunities for career advancements and increasing internal mobility are their top ways to attract talent.
