“AI is going to take your job.”
Hands up if you’ve heard that more than five times already this week.

With the rapid rise of technology and AI, it’s no surprise that many of us are wondering what’s next for our roles and careers. While it’s unlikely that AI will take your job anytime soon, it will almost certainly change how you do it.

Enter: reskilling and upskilling.
According to a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025 as the adoption of technology accelerates.

So, where should you focus your upskilling efforts in 2025? And how do you get started?
Don’t worry — we’ll break it down for you in this blog.

First, let’s break down the difference between upskilling and reskilling — and why both matter.

Upskilling is all about building on your existing skill set. It helps you grow in your current role or take the next step in your career by deepening your expertise or learning adjacent skills. For example, a marketer learning how to use advanced analytics tools is upskilling.

Reskilling, on the other hand, involves learning entirely new skills for a different role or career path. This often happens when certain jobs evolve or become redundant due to technology or business changes — like a retail worker learning coding to move into a tech role.

Upskilling keeps you competitive and adaptable within your field, while reskilling opens up new opportunities if your current role changes or disappears. Together, they future-proof your career and give you the confidence to navigate change.

Why do you need to upskill and reskill in 2025?

The workplace is changing faster than ever, and sitting still isn't really an option anymore. Here's why investing in your skills is essential:

1. Technology is reshaping every industry (yes, even yours)

Whether you're in healthcare, finance, marketing, or manufacturing, AI and automation are already making changes in your field. But here's the thing — this isn't about robots taking over. It's about technology becoming your new work partner. Those who learn to work alongside AI will have a massive advantage over those who resist it.

Take marketing, for example. AI can now generate content, analyse customer data, and even create campaign overviews. But it still needs humans to provide strategy, creativity, and that all-important human touch. The marketers who thrive will be those who learn to use AI as a powerful tool rather than seeing it as competition.

1. The job market is becoming more competitive

With economic uncertainty and layoffs making headlines, having a diverse skill set isn't just about getting ahead, it's about staying relevant. Employers are looking for people who can wear multiple hats and adapt quickly. If you can show that you're constantly learning and evolving, you become the kind of employee companies want to keep around.

1. You need to stand out in the global talentpool 

The shift to remote and hybrid work has opened up opportunities but also increased competition. You're no longer just competing with people in your city, you're potentially competing with talent from around the world. The good news? Upskilling can help you stand out in this global talent pool.

1. Your current skills have an expiration date

Hard truth: some of the skills that got you where you are today might not be enough for where you want to go tomorrow. A study by IBM found that skills learned today become outdated in just 2-5 years in most fields. In tech, it's even faster — sometimes as little as 2-3 years.

This doesn't mean your experience is worthless. It means you need to keep building on top of it.

1. Future-proofing your career (and your paycheck)

People with in-demand skills are in a much stronger position when it comes to negotiating higher salaries and securing long-term job stability. As the job market evolves, employers are actively seeking talent with the right mix of technical and soft skills to keep up with change.

Employees who invest time in regularly upskilling not only make themselves more valuable to their current employers, but also open the door to a wider range of career opportunities. They’re more likely to see salary increases, gain promotions, and have the flexibility to pivot into new roles or even industries if needed — without starting from scratch.

What areas should you upskill in 2025?

Now for the million-dollar question: where should you actually focus your time and energy? Here are the skill areas that are going to matter most this year:

Digital literacy and AI collaboration

This isn't about becoming a programmer (unless you want to). It's about understanding how to work with AI tools effectively. Think ChatGPT for content creation, AI-powered analytics tools, or automation platforms that can streamline your workflows.

Start with the basics:

• Learn how to write effective prompts for AI tools
• Understand what AI can and can't do in your field
• Get comfortable with AI-powered tools relevant to your role

If your organisation isn’t up to scratch in these areas, don’t wait around. This is your opportunity to take the lead. Advocate for learning and development opportunities, share relevant resources with your team, and suggest ways to build a culture of continuous learning. 

Looking to learn more about this skill? Check out this ‘AI for everyone’ course here. 

Data analysis and interpretation

Data is everywhere, and being able to make sense of it is incredibly valuable. You don't need to become a data scientist, but basic data literacy is becoming as important as being able to use Excel was 20 years ago.The World Economic Forum has shared that  in 2025, 97 million new roles will need employees who can manage, analyse, and leverage data to make informed decisions. 

Focus on:

• Understanding basic statistics and data visualisation
• Learning tools like Excel (advanced features), Google Analytics, or Tableau
• Being able to ask the right questions of data and spot trends

Wanting to learn more about data visualisation and storytelling? Find out more here. 

Emotional intelligence and human skills

Here's some irony for you: as technology becomes more advanced, human skills become more valuable. AI can process information and automate tasks, but it can't replicate genuine human connection, empathy, and complex problem-solving.

Develop:

• Communication and presentation skills
• Leadership and team collaboration
• Conflict resolution and negotiation
• Creative thinking and innovation

Project management and agile methodologies

As workplaces become more flexible and project-based, being able to manage projects efficiently is a superpower. Plus, these skills transfer across industries.

Skills to develop:

• Project management frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, Agile)
• Using project management tools (Asana, Trello, Monday.com)
• Risk management and problem-solving
• Cross-functional team leadership

If you’re wanting to upskill your project management skills take a look at this introduction into project management course by The Open University.  

Cybersecurity awareness

With cyber threats on the rise, every employee is now part of the security team. Understanding basic cybersecurity principles makes you a more valuable (and responsible) team member.

Learn about:

• Password security and multi-factor authentication
• Recognising phishing and social engineering attempts
• Data privacy and protection
• Secure remote work practices

Sustainability and ESG knowledge

Companies are increasingly focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Having knowledge in this area can set you apart, regardless of your role.

Areas to explore:

• Sustainable business practices
• Corporate social responsibility
• Environmental impact assessment
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

If you want to improve your knowledge about sustainability and ESG take a look at the free resources available on The SDG academy. 

Cross-cultural communication

As workplaces become more global and diverse, being able to work effectively with people from different backgrounds is crucial.

Focus on:

• Cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Working across time zones effectively
• Language skills (even basic conversational level can be valuable)
• Understanding global business practices

Remember, you don't need to master all of these areas at once. Pick 2-3 that align most closely with your career goals and start there. The key is to start somewhere and keep moving forward.

The future belongs to those who are willing to adapt and grow. By investing in your skills now, you're not just preparing for the jobs of tomorrow — you're creating opportunities that don't even exist yet.