With technology rapidly advancing and shifting skill requirements for the jobs of the future, what lifelong skills will your child need to be resilient and prepared for the jobs of 2030? There are 5 top skills they’ll need and we reveal how coding will help to achieve them.

In a recent report, “Ahead by a Decade: Employment in 2030” it was found that 34% of Canadian workers are currently in an occupation projected to change between now and 2030 and that 5 foundational skills will be needed to be successful in the jobs of the future: fluency of ideas, memorization, service orientation, instructing and persuasion.

Here’s an overview of the skills and how learning to code can teach them, helping to prepare your child for success in any future career.

1. Fluency of Ideas - The Ability to Brainstorm

Whether you work in a team or independently, our brainstorming muscles need to be flexed and strong when we’re problem-solving in the workplace. From the recent data predictions, it is critical now more than ever to teach problem-solving skills at an early age to our children, so they can better adapt to the shifting skillset they’ll need for the jobs of 2030 and beyond.

Learning to code, like learning any new language or skill requires a lot of problem-solving. When the code isn’t working, careful review, research and troubleshooting all assist in solving the problem. When students begin a new coding project, they first need to brainstorm their ideas of what they want their code to look like - from the design, colours and images they’ll want to use - and then will need to brainstorm the steps that they think will help them to achieve their desired result. And then they might need to brainstorm modifications along the way.

2. Memorization - Not a Skill of the Past

Beyond industries like healthcare, sciences and information technology - where memorization is critical to do your job successfully, the ability to memorize processes and details in the moment can help employees work more efficiently. Yes, we can get any information with a quick Google search, but retaining it is the game-changer.

Learning a programming language requires a lot of memorization to become fluent in them, and is like learning to write an essay or tell a story. From starting with learning the basic programming vocabulary, students are then able to give a computer clear direction. After students memorize the basics and become fluent in the programming languages of JavaScript and/or Python, they work towards creating their own code projects from scratch, continually growing their knowledge.

3. Service Orientation - Ability to Help Others

Of course industries like sales, service and healthcare all require strong service orientation skills, but beyond these industries, the ability to help our co-workers and other departmental teams in any organization is key to higher productivity and to establishing a positive work culture.

Learning to code in a group teaches Hatch Coding students how to communicate and collaborate with others towards a common goal. Teams of 2-6 students, with the guidance of a Hatch Instructor, learn how to break down a code project and assign roles for each team member. And if one team member gets stuck in their code along the way, they can ask for help from their team and learn from each other.

4. Instructing - Teaching Others How to Do Something

In a recent McKinsey report, they forecasted that lifelong learning will be a necessary change most needed in organizations to develop the workforce of the future. This proves it’s never too early or too late to learn a new skill to grow your resume. And if you want upward mobility and to work towards a leadership role in your organization, the ability to instruct others how to do something is a crucial skill for every leader to have.

As students progress and gain confidence in their coding skills, they are invited to showcase their code projects during our daily Virtual Coding Class. They guide the group through their process and share tips and tricks on their key learnings.

5. Persuasion - Ability to Influence Others

According to the Employment in 2030 report, persuasion is one of the most relevant social skills in the workforce and is important to 60% of all occupations. Any management position across every industry needs this skill to be an effective leader.

So how can coding teach this skill? Through a lot of creativity and ownership of the kids’ code projects. Hatch Coding students love to get their projects featured on the leaderboard and to do this you need top project points. To get top project points, students need to complete the challenges within each project for a chance to make the leaderboard. This is how student’s work can help to motivate and influence others to keep challenging themselves with their coding skills.

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Final Thoughts: Education & Lifelong Learning Is Key to Future Success

Hatch Coding teaches lifelong skills for any future career path; from problem-solving, memorizing concepts and processes, to helping others by collaborating with a team. All of these skills can be developed through learning to code. Learn more about how having your child learn to code is investing in the success of their future.

Ready to kickstart your child’s journey to lifelong learning and give them the foundational skills needed to shape their futures?

Build their Backpack of Skills Needed for their Future