Patron Perspectives 2024/25: Future Skills Shaping the Years Ahead

This blog series brings together sector reflections from our Patron network – leaders who play an active role in shaping Kingston’s economy and supporting its business community.

Each piece was first published in our 2024/25 Impact Report, where we asked: what’s changed over the past year – and what’s likely to shape what’s next?

The result is a collection of expert, actionable editorials. Throughout this series you’ll find perspectives on housing, education, digital experience professional services and more, reflecting the challenges and opportunities shaping Kingston’s economy.

As the pace of technology advancement continues to accelerate exponentially and geopolitical uncertainty increases, business leaders have expressed there is a shortage in professionals with the required skills to navigate these developments.  

This major skill gap is a challenge for the UK economy. To thrive in a digital-first and constantly changing world, we will need a workforce that not only understands how to harness new technologies but also recognises their limitations. At Kingston University, we have carried out research in conjunction with YouGov as part of our 2023  Future Skills Report, which found that nearly half (44%) of all the companies we surveyed think AI  will bring moderate or fundamental change over the next five years, and almost three-quarters (73%)  accept AI will change their business model in some way during this time.  

GRADUATES ADAPT TO CHANGE  

More importantly, our research found that currently only 7% of businesses think university graduates joining the workforce right now are adequately prepared for an AI-first world. It is apparent that this skills gap needs to be addressed to ensure we have an emerging workforce that is equipped to respond to the new opportunities presented by AI and other emerging technologies.  

At Kingston University, we are addressing this need for graduates to adapt to change, often unforeseen, through our transformative Town House Strategy.  We are delivering a new model of education called Future Skills, which is enabling students to develop nine core skills that employers have identified as vital for the future. 

RAPIDLY EVOLVING WORKPLACE  

Future Skills is informed by our extensive polling of businesses of all types and sizes, who have told us they need graduates who are creative problem solvers, innovative, digitally literate, enterprising, adaptable and resilient. These skills will play an important role in driving innovation and ensuring a thriving national and international economy in a rapidly evolving workplace. This research is supported by major businesses such as Mastercard, Unilever and J.P. Morgan.  

This includes distinctively human skills such as empathy, collaboration and resilience, which will remain indispensable. These skills, combined with the digital and technical skills needed to utilise and integrate advanced technologies, will ensure AI tools are used effectively and harnessed for positive change.  

SUMMARY  

Future Skills is embedded throughout our entire undergraduate curriculum, in every year of every course.
As students progress through their degrees, they will develop these skills needed to drive economic growth as a core part of their learning.  This will prepare them for success in a rapidly evolving world of work.   

We firmly believe that if more universities and other educational institutions embedded Future Skills or similar initiatives into their curriculum, this would go a long way to addressing the significant skills challenges our nation faces. This will ensure we have a workforce that is equipped to navigate a world that will be constantly disrupted by technological advancements, enabling businesses to thrive by harnessing these technologies to their full potential. 

Kingston University is a UK leader in Future Skills education, working to equip students with the capabilities most valued by employers – like critical thinking, collaboration and digital fluency. Through sector-leading research and global partnerships, the University is shaping the national and international skills agenda. From September 2025, all undergraduates will benefit from a Future Skills framework embedded in their degree – ensuring graduates are prepared not just for work, but for lifelong adaptability.

Find out more at https://www.kingston.ac.uk/about/future-skills.