The report on the most rapidly developing job skills in 2024

Amidst the rapidly changing global landscape, keeping abreast of the skills in demand within the job market is more crucial than ever. Coursera's third annual Job Skills Report is designed to assist institutions in navigating these dynamic shifts, shedding light on the vital skills and qualifications that are shaping the workforce. This year's emphasis extends to leadership, cybersecurity, and AI—areas experiencing a notable surge in enrollment on Coursera's platform.

The Job Skills of 2024 report discerns the fastest-growing skills of the year, drawing insights from five million enterprise learners associated with 3,000 businesses, 3,600 higher education institutions, and governments spanning over 100 countries.

These learners, accessing Coursera through institutions focused on employment readiness and upskilling, constitute a substantial subset of Coursera's overall learner base, exceeding 136 million. This robust foundation of learner data allows for the identification of meaningful trends in skill development.

The global job skills trends outlined in the report are as follows:

Surge in AI-Related Skills

AI-related skills are fueling a surge in course enrollments, with Coursera now providing over 800 AI-related courses that collectively attracted 6.8 million enrollments this year. Notably, the course "Generative AI for Everyone" from DeepLearning.AI garnered 43,000 enrollments in the first 7 days, making it the fastest-growing course in 2023. Investing in AI-related skills is deemed crucial for enhancing productivity and preparing learners for an AI-driven world.

Growing Emphasis on Leadership Skills

There is an increasing focus on leadership skills to support teams through organizational change. Leadership skills, with a particular emphasis on empathy, strategic leadership, and employee development, have witnessed an uptick in their significance. The rapidly evolving macroeconomic landscape and the advent of technologies like AI are placing new demands on leadership, prompting a heightened emphasis on skills such as leading teams with empathy, team building, and team management.

Growing Emphasis on Data Literacy

Skills related to understanding and communicating data continue to be among the fastest-growing. Data visualization, identified as a top fastest-growing digital skill last year, maintains its momentum in 2024. Research indicates that by 2025, 70% of employees will be expected to extensively use data, yet only 11% feel confident in their ability to handle, analyze, and communicate with data. Prioritizing investments in data literacy and storytelling skills can enable institutional leaders to meet organizational goals and address market demand.

Escalating Demand for Cybersecurity Skills

There is a notable surge in demand for cybersecurity and information security skills, with half of the top tech skills listed falling under the cybersecurity category. Concurrently, there is an estimated shortage of nearly 3.5 million cybersecurity workers, highlighting the importance of investments in cybersecurity skills for both individuals and institutions in the coming year.

Business Skills Take Center Stage

Business skills, particularly in digital marketing and customer experience, dominate the list of the fastest-growing skills. Anticipating growth in the marketing and advertising industry and heightened customer expectations, institutions can strategically invest in these skill areas to unlock business productivity and enhance individual employability.

Sustained Demand for Web Development and Computing Skills

The need for web development and computing skills remains high, with several of the fastest-growing tech skills centered on web frameworks and cloud computing. The global cloud computing market is projected to surge from $490.3 billion in 2022 to $591.8 billion in 2023. However, 73% of global employees currently feel unequipped to learn the digital skills required by businesses. Investing in these skills can address ongoing shortages and support technical employees in staying abreast of emerging technologies.

Impact of Curated Learning Paths

Curated learning paths, such as Professional Certifications and Specializations, are driving significant changes in skill ranks. In the past year, enterprise learner enrollments in entry-level Professional Certificates increased by 27%, non-entry-level Professional Certificates by 34%, and Specializations by 18%. These structured learning paths have the potential to enhance business productivity, improve student employability—employers being 72% more likely to hire someone with a Professional Certificate—and enhance internal mobility.

Rising Importance of Oversight and Compliance Skills

Oversight and compliance skills, particularly in auditing, are increasingly vital. Audit skills stand out as among the top fastest-growing overall, experiencing substantial growth, especially among learners associated with government programs. As institutions globally grapple with challenges related to data and copyright in the era of AI, these skills are expected to gain even more significance.

The Job Skills of 2024 Report serves as a crucial guide for leaders in business, government, and higher education dedicated to equipping learners with the skills essential for securing and advancing careers. By investing in these swiftly evolving skill areas, institutions can forge a workforce ready to tackle present challenges and well-positioned for the future.