pds-futurejobs

['Form page','no']

Future Skills Study

Future Skills Study 2026

How realistically do specialists and managers assess their future skills? Find out in our latest continuing education study which skills are considered crucial, where perceptions differ, and how continuing education can become more effective in companies.

Download the study now

Made with AI.

Designing effective continuing education

Whether you are a specialist or a manager, our representative study will help you identify important future skills and overcome typical obstacles to continuing education within your company.

Find out which skills are considered particularly relevant for the future.
Find out how specialists and managers perceive and promote their current skills.
Use the insights to increase the effectiveness of further development in your company.

Download our study now free of charge to prepare yourself and your team for tomorrow's world of work.

*Mandatory fields

> 90 %

of respondents consider problem solving and critical thinking to be the most important future skills. Digital skills are just as sought after.

73 %

of managers already consider their teams to be well positioned in the area of leadership and change. Specialists are significantly more cautious in their assessment of their skills in this area (54%).

Only 34%

of skilled workers are aware of the continuing education budget in their company. Many would like to have better access to opportunities.

What you can expect

Which future skills really matter?

employers employees future skills to be important. Technological skills are seen as particularly important, but so are soft skills such as problem solving and communication. However, our study shows that existing qualifications and continuing education opportunities are assessed very differently by both sides.

How are future skills currently being promoted?

Managers see themselves as motivational role models and pursue further training more frequently, while employees are unsure about what opportunities are available to them. They are often unaware of new job roles and opportunities within the company. This highlights a lack of communication and transparency.

Which learning formats are considered effective?

People in management positions often rely on traditional formats such as face-to-face seminars, while skilled workers prefer flexible, practical training opportunities such as self-directed online courses. However, both see further development as a shared responsibility. The study makes it clear that implementation fails not because of a lack of will, but because of a lack of communication about needs.

Frequently asked questions

What are Future Skills?

Future skills are those skills that will be crucial to your professional success over the next five years. These include technological knowledge such as AI and data skills, but also interpersonal skills such as problem solving and leadership skills.
Unlike traditional specialist knowledge, they can be applied in various fields and remain relevant despite rapid change.

Who might find the Future Skills Study interesting?

The study is primarily aimed at managers, specialists, and HR managers who want to understand which skills will be relevant in the future and how continuing education can be effectively designed. It offers guidance for companies that want to sharpen their future skills strategy and for employees who want to actively manage their development.

How can I use the findings?

As a skilled worker, our representative study will help you find out which future skills you can and should develop further. It also gives you insight into the mindset of employers, which will make future discussions about continuing education easier. As a manager, the findings will help you design continuing education programs in such a way that they are effective in practice.

Who was surveyed and why?

In fall 2025, Haufe Akademie an extensive online survey of around 1,000 people (606 professionals and 458 managers) from the DACH region. The aim of the study was to directly compare both perspectives and highlight where perceptions diverge: in terms of future skills, role models, learning formats, and the transparency of continuing education offerings.

How was the data collected?

The data was collected in the form of an online survey (via an online access panel):
- Survey period: September 23–October 6, 2025
- Target group: Skilled workers and managers in the DACH region (aged 25–55 and 30–60, respectively)
- Sample: Skilled workers n=606, managers n=458

Future Skills Study 2026

Find out in our latest representative study how specialists and managers assess their skills and opportunities, and use the findings to increase the effectiveness of continuing education in your company.

Download free of charge

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class

To the Future Jobs Class