I read this article on a future “Skill Gap” that is predicted to take place (ARTICLE HERE). If you have ever put together a job resume, you may understand that you want to include some primo job skills. 25 years ago, you could still include “Typing, 75 wpm” as a skill, but things change. Now most people are growing up with computers and are simply expected to be able to type efficiently.
In the Skill Gap article by Big Think, it’s theorized that the following skills are going to be lacking by job seekers:
Advanced data-analysis and mathematical skills
Complex information processing and interpretation
Advanced IT skills and programming
Leadership and managing others
Critical thinking and decision making
Adaptability and continuous learning
How do we fix this? Simple. Take courses where you can get a certificate that is applicable to your resume. These usually have an official body behind them like a university or official group/institution. Sometimes these are free, sometimes you have to pay for the classes. I have a whole list of some fairly common certificates.
Here are some links:
Check your local university for certificates offered
Search the internet for information on other certifications
Here’s a list of basic certificates that you can get that can really add to your resume.
First Aid/CPR/AED (Red Cross)
Child & Baby First Aid/CPR/AED (Red Cross)
Basic Life Support/CPR (Red Cross)
Babysitting & Child Care (Red Cross)
Swimming & Water Safety (Red Cross)
Lifeguarding (Red Cross)
Nurse Assistant/CNA Training (Red Cross)
Bloodborn Pathogens (Red Cross)
A+ Certification - for information technology networking/cybersecurity (Comptia)
Forklift Operator Certification
Hair Stylist Certification
Esthetician Certification
Barista Certification
Personal Trainer Certification
Sport-specific Coaching Certification
Accounting Technician certificate (local university)
Automotive Technology certificate (local university)
Aviation Maintenance certificate (local university)
Baking and Pastry Arts (local university)
Culinary Arts (local university)
Dental Assistant (local university)
Drafting Technology (local university)
Diesel/Heavy Equipment (local university)
Information Technology Specialist (local university)
Instrumentation Technology (local university)
Medical Assistant (local university)
Addiction Counseling and Prevention (local university)
Artificial Intelligence (local university)
Bioethics (local university)
Communication and Leadership (local university)
Digital Marketing (local university)
Marketing (local university)
Alternative Investments (local university)
State Government Leadership Excellence (local university)
Data Privacy and Technology (local university)
Foundations of Clinical Research (local university)
Math Leadership (local university)
Negotiation Mastery (local university)
Bookkeeping Technician (occupational endorsement via local university)
Basic Carpentry (occupational endorsement via local university)
Ethnobotany (occupational endorsement via local university)
Facility Maintenance (occupational endorsement via local university)
Medical Billing (occupational endorsement via local university)
Medical Coding (occupational endorsement via local university)
Supervision and Personnel Management (occupational endorsement via local university)
Sustainable Energy (occupational endorsement via local university)
Welding, Entry Level (occupational endorsement via local university)
Here are some general types of graduate certificates that can help boost your resume. You can check your local university for availability in your area. Be aware that these require a bachelor's degree first:
Arctic Security
Business Continuity
Cyber Security Management
Science Teaching and Outreach
Statistics
Applied and Computational Mathematics
Strategic Leadership
Accounting
K-12 Art Teaching
Teaching Certification
Business Analytics
Advanced Mathematics
International Relations
Bioinformatics
Corporate Sustainability and Innovation
Museum Studies
Philosophy & Ethics
Visual Arts
My biggest question in regards to skills is: Why don’t we leave high school with one or two of these lower-level certifications? Wouldn’t that help solve the issue of a future “skill gap”?
Leave me with your thoughts. Is this "skill gap" inevitable? Can we fix it?