Competence Library

Discover the Future Skills approaches

Future Skills Approaches overview- sorted by source

Here you will find a curated overview of international Future Skills approaches – developed by universities, research projects, NGOs, and policy initiatives. Select an approach to explore its competencies, compare them in detail, and see how different sources define Future Skills.

Please note: since it is not possible to accurately translate the Future Skills from german to english, you can only view the competences and their defintions in german.
Frameworks (please select)
Future Skills 2030
Agentur Q

Kompetenzwandel in Krisenzeiten
Bertelsmann Stiftung

ETH Zürich Kompetenzraster
ETH Zürich

MarSkills
Philipps-Universität Marburg

Future Skills 2021
Stifterverband McKinsey & Company

Future Skills
Arndt Pechstein, Martin Schwemmle, The Future Company

Future Skills Concept
SBW Haus des Lernens

Future of Jobs Report 2025 &
Global Skills Taxonomy
World Economic Forum

Learning for the Future
United Nations-Economic Commission for Europe Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development

Inner Development Goals
IDG Foundation

Handlungsrahmen Future Skills
Vera Gehrs, Frank Mayer, Anna Zaczynska

LifeComp
Arianna Sala, Yves Punie, Vladimir Garkov, Marcelino Cabera

Global framework on core skills for life and work in the 21st century
International Labour Organization

Education for Sustainable Development Goals
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

OECD Learning Compass 2030
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

Skills Demand for the Future Economy Report 2025
SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)

Competencies for a Career-Ready Workforce
National Association of Colleges and Employers

Global Framework on Transferable Skills
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

Meta Skills Framework
Nicklas Kinder, Eva-Maria Danzer (The Company Journey Guide)

AIComp
NextEducation Team der Dualen Hochschule Baden-Würrtemberg

EngageComp
NextEducation Team der Dualen Hochschule Baden-Würrtemberg

Future Skills
NextEducation Team der Dualen Hochschule Baden-Würrtemberg

TriComp
NextEducation Team der Dualen Hochschule Baden-Würrtemberg

Future Skills 2030

Agentur Q

01 Eigeninitiative (Überfachliche Kompetenzen)

Die Fähigkeit, selbstständig und proaktiv zu handeln, Verantwortung zu übernehmen und innovative Lösungen zu entwickeln.

02 Flexibilität (Überfachliche Kompetenzen)

Anpassungsfähigkeit an wechselnde Bedingungen und Herausforderungen, eine schnelle Auffassungsgabe und die Bereitschaft, interdisziplinär zu arbeiten.

03 Innovatives Denken (Überfachliche Kompetenzen)

Kreativität, Neugier und die Fähigkeit, über den Tellerrand hinauszublicken, um neue Ideen und Lösungsansätze zu entwickeln.

04 Kollaboration (Überfachliche Kompetenzen)

Teamfähigkeit, Kommunikationsstärke und die Fähigkeit, effektiv in Gruppen zu arbeiten – unerlässlich, um im dynamischen Arbeitsumfeld gemeinsam Erfolge zu erzielen.

05 Kundenorientierung (Überfachliche Kompetenzen)

Die Fähigkeit, die Bedürfnisse von Kunden zu verstehen und entsprechende Lösungsangebote zu entwickeln, verbunden mit einem ausgeprägten Servicegedanken.

06 Organisationsfähigkeit (Überfachliche Kompetenzen)

Effizientes Zeit- und Selbstmanagement sowie die Fähigkeit, komplexe Abläufe und Aufgaben zu koordinieren.

07 Problemlösungsfähigkeit (Überfachliche Kompetenzen)

Analytisches und systematisches Denken, um Herausforderungen zu erkennen, Ursachen zu ermitteln und zielgerichtete Lösungen zu finden.

08 Resilienz (Überfachliche Kompetenzen)

Die Fähigkeit, mit Stress und Rückschlägen umzugehen, sich schnell von Schwierigkeiten zu erholen und kontinuierlich aus Erfahrungen zu lernen.

09 Sprachkenntnisse (Überfachliche Kompetenzen)

Neben der Muttersprache auch Fremdsprachenkompetenzen, die in einer globalisierten Arbeitswelt zunehmend an Bedeutung gewinnen.

10 Zielorientierung (Überfachliche Kompetenzen)

Strukturierte Arbeitsweise, Selbstdisziplin und die Fähigkeit, durch klar definierte Ziele und Prioritäten Erfolge zu erzielen.

Agentur Q

Future Skills 2030

Show future skills

01

[no definition / description available]

02

[no definition / description available]

03

[no definition / description available]

04

[no definition / description available]

05

[no definition / description available]

06

[no definition / description available]

07

[no definition / description available]

08

[no definition / description available]

09

[no definition / description available]

10

[no definition / description available]

Bertelsmann Stiftung

Kompetenzwandel in Krisenzeiten

Show future skills

01

[no definition / description available]

02

[no definition / description available]

03

[no definition / description available]

04

[no definition / description available]

05

[no definition / description available]

06

[no definition / description available]

07

[no definition / description available]

08

[no definition / description available]

09

[no definition / description available]

10

[no definition / description available]

11

[no definition / description available]

12

[no definition / description available]

13

[no definition / description available]

14

[no definition / description available]

15

[no definition / description available]

16

[no definition / description available]

17

[no definition / description available]

18

[no definition / description available]

19

[no definition / description available]

20

[no definition / description available]

21

[no definition / description available]

22

[no definition / description available]

23

[no definition / description available]

24

[no definition / description available]

25

[no definition / description available]

26

[no definition / description available]

ETH Zürich

ETH Zürich Kompetenzraster

Show future skills

01

[no definition / description available]

02

[no definition / description available]

03

[no definition / description available]

04

[no definition / description available]

05

[no definition / description available]

06

[no definition / description available]

07

[no definition / description available]

08

[no definition / description available]

09

[no definition / description available]

10

[no definition / description available]

11

[no definition / description available]

12

[no definition / description available]

13

[no definition / description available]

14

[no definition / description available]

15

[no definition / description available]

16

[no definition / description available]

17

[no definition / description available]

18

[no definition / description available]

19

[no definition / description available]

20

[no definition / description available]

Philipps-Universität Marburg

MarSkills

Show future skills

01

[no definition / description available]

02

[no definition / description available]

03

[no definition / description available]

04

[no definition / description available]

05

[no definition / description available]

06

[no definition / description available]

07

[no definition / description available]

08

[no definition / description available]

09

[no definition / description available]

10

[no definition / description available]

11

[no definition / description available]

12

[no definition / description available]

13

[no definition / description available]

Stifterverband McKinsey & Company

Future Skills 2021

Show future skills

01 Technologische Kompetenzen: Data Analytics & KI

[no definition / description available]

02

[no definition / description available]

03

[no definition / description available]

04

[no definition / description available]

05

[no definition / description available]

06

[no definition / description available]

07

[no definition / description available]

08

[no definition / description available]

09 Digital Literacy

[no definition / description available]

10

[no definition / description available]

11

[no definition / description available]

12

[no definition / description available]

13

[no definition / description available]

14

[no definition / description available]

15

[no definition / description available]

16

[no definition / description available]

17

[no definition / description available]

18

[no definition / description available]

19

[no definition / description available]

20

[no definition / description available]

21

[no definition / description available]

22

[no definition / description available]

23

[no definition / description available]

Arndt Pechstein, Martin Schwemmle, The Future Company

Future Skills

Show future skills

01

[no definition / description available]

02

[no definition / description available]

03

[no definition / description available]

04

[no definition / description available]

05

[no definition / description available]

06

[no definition / description available]

07

[no definition / description available]

08

[no definition / description available]

09

[no definition / description available]

10

[no definition / description available]

11

[no definition / description available]

12

[no definition / description available]

13

[no definition / description available]

14

[no definition / description available]

15

[no definition / description available]

16

[no definition / description available]

SBW Haus des Lernens

Future Skills Concept

Show future skills

01 Passion (Flow)

[no definition / description available]

02 Resilience (Flow)

[no definition / description available]

03 Global Identity (Focus)

[no definition / description available]

04 Sustainability (Focus)

[no definition / description available]

05 Acting outside the box (Impact)

[no definition / description available]

06 Entrepreneurship (Impact)

[no definition / description available]

World Economic Forum

Future of Jobs Report 2025 & Global Skills Taxonomy

Show future skills

01

[no definition / description available]

02

[no definition / description available]

03

[no definition / description available]

04

[no definition / description available]

05

[no definition / description available]

06

[no definition / description available]

07

[no definition / description available]

08

[no definition / description available]

09

[no definition / description available]

10

[no definition / description available]

11

[no definition / description available]

12

[no definition / description available]

13

[no definition / description available]

14

[no definition / description available]

15

[no definition / description available]

16

[no definition / description available]

17

[no definition / description available]

18

[no definition / description available]

19

[no definition / description available]

20

[no definition / description available]

21

[no definition / description available]

22

[no definition / description available]

23

[no definition / description available]

24

[no definition / description available]

25

[no definition / description available]

26

[no definition / description available]

United Nations-Economic Commission for Europe Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development

Learning for the Future

Show future skills

IDG Foundation

Inner Development Goals

Show future skills

01 Inner compass (Being – Relationship to Self)

Having a deeply felt sense of responsibility and commitment to values and purposes relating to the good of the whole. Having an Inner Compass is not so much a skill as a consequence of the broad scope of awareness that leads one to care for and contribute to the welfare of something much larger than oneself. Having an inner compass firmly anchored in a commitment to contribute to the good of the whole is intimately related to other IDGs, such as Connectedness, Long-term Orientation and Visioning, and Perseverance.

02 Integrity and Authenticity (Being – Relationship to Self)

A commitment and ability to act with sincerity, honesty and integrity. This item is partly about values one has identified with and is committed to practising, but it is also strongly related to personal maturity.

03 Openness and Learning Mindset (Being – Relationship to Self)

Having a basic mindset of curiosity and a willingness to be vulnerable, to embrace change and grow. A capacity to be open to learning, re-evaluation and curiosity about alternative ways of perceiving and interpreting various issues requires a sense of identity robust and complex enough not to feel threatened by cognitive dissonance.

04 Self-Awareness (Being – Relationship to Self)

An ability to be in reflective contact with one’s own thoughts, feelings and desires; having a realistic self-image and the ability to regulate oneself. What goes on inside a person has a considerable impact on that person’s potential for being effective when engaging with complex issues, especially in interaction with people with diverse perspectives and interests.

05 Presence (Being – Relationship to Self)

Ability to be in the here and now, without judgment and in a state of open-ended presence. This capacity is strongly linked to the Openness and Learning Mindset, but emphasizes the quality of making oneself fully available in encounters with other people, in an accepting, mindful, sensitive and non-judgmental way.

06 Critical thinking (Thinking-Cognitive Skills)

Skills in critically reviewing the validity of views, evidence and plans. Critical thinking is strongly related to ”reflective judgment” or ”skills of argument”. One way of describing critical thinking skills is to focus on the habit of asking probing questions in relation to statements, validity claims, views and opinions. Critical thinking is closely related to and partially overlaps with Perspective Skills.

07 Perspective Skills (Thinking-Cognitive Skills)

Skills in seeking, understanding and actively making use of insights from contrasting perspectives. A basic Perspective Skill is simply being aware that your view of the world and its issues and events is a view: an interpretation based on a limited and selective set of data and complemented by assumptions and judgments not necessarily backed up by proven facts. Perspective skills are related to Openness and Learning Mindset, Sense-making, Complexity Awareness, Critical Thinking and Inclusive Mindset and Intercultural Competence.

08

[no definition / description available]

09

[no definition / description available]

10

[no definition / description available]

11

[no definition / description available]

12

[no definition / description available]

13

[no definition / description available]

14

[no definition / description available]

15

[no definition / description available]

16

[no definition / description available]

17

[no definition / description available]

18

[no definition / description available]

19

[no definition / description available]

20

[no definition / description available]

21

[no definition / description available]

22

[no definition / description available]

23

[no definition / description available]

24

[no definition / description available]

Vera Gehrs, Frank Mayer, Anna Zaczynska

Handlungsrahmen Future Skills

Show future skills

Arianna Sala, Yves Punie, Vladimir Garkov, Marcelino Cabera

LifeComp

Show future skills

01 self-regulation (Personal)

awareness and management of emotions, thoughts and behaviour

02 flexibility (Personal)

ability to manage transitions and uncertainty, and to face challenges

03 wellbeing (Personal)

aursuit of life satisfaction, care of physical, mental and social health, and adoption of a sustainable lifestyle

04 empathy (Social)

the understanding of another person’s emotions, experiences and values, and the provision of appropriate responses

05 communication (Social)

use of relevant communication strategies, domain-specific codes and tools depending on the context and the content

06 collaboration (Social)

engagement in group activity and teamwork acknowledging and respecting others

07 growth mindset (Learning to learn)

belief in one’s and others’ potential to continuously learn and progress

08 critical thinking (Learning to learn)

assessment of information and arguments to support reasoned conclusions and develop innovative solutions

09 managing learning (Learning to learn)

the planning, organising, monitoring and reviewing of one's own learning

International Labour Organization

Global framework on core skills for life and work in the 21st century

Show future skills

01 Communication (Social and emotional skills)

The ability to listen effectively in order to decipher meaning; articulate thoughts and ideas effectively; exchange information; and express opinions, desires, needs and fears using oral, written and non-verbal skills in diverse environments for a range of purposes.

02 Collaboration and teamwork (Social and emotional skills)

The ability to work in diverse teams effectively and respectfully, assuming shared responsibility for outputs and demonstrating willingness and flexibility. The ability to identify and acknowledge the feelings, experiences and viewpoints of others, showing care, affection and kindness.

03 Conflict resolution and negotiation (Social and emotional skills)

The ability to reach a consensus between divergent interests by utilizing logical argument and influencing others to cooperate, thereby resolving disagreement or dispute.

04 Emotional intelligence (Social and emotional skills)

The ability to identify, understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same. It can comprise of four domains: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management, which together have 12 competencies, including empathy, adaptability, achievement orientation and positive outlook.

05 Foundational literacies (Cognitive and metacognitive skills)

Literacy, numeracy, health, financial, scientific, cultural, and civic • Literacy: the ability to understand, identify, interpret, create and communicate effectively utilizing inscribed, printed, or electronic signs or symbols for representing language. • Numeracy: the ability to understand and have the confidence and skill to work with numbers and mathematical approaches in all aspects of life. • Health literacy: the ability to gain access to, understand and utilize information in ways which promote and maintain good health. • Financial literacy: the ability to understand and apply financial management skills appropriately and to be able to make a financial plan, manage debt, calculate interest, understand the time value of money in order to make informed and effective decisions about personal financial resources. • Scientific literacy: the ability to understand those scientific concepts and processes required for personal decision-making, participation in civic and cultural affairs, and economic productivity. • Cultural literacy: the ability to understand the perspectives of people from diverse backgrounds instead of considering one’s cultural beliefs and practices as the correct ones. • Civic literacy: the ability to participate effectively in civic life through knowing the rights and obligations of residents at local, state and national levels.

06 Analytical and critical thinking (Cognitive and metacognitive skills)

The ability to assess issues appropriately and adequately, and analyse relevant information to form an opinion or take an individual or a collective decision. The ability to think clearly, logically and rationally; to evaluate and interpret information; and to objectively analyse and evaluate an issue to make a judgement.

07 Creative and innovative thinking (Cognitive and metacognitive skills)

The ability to utilize a wide range of idea creation techniques, so as to generate, articulate and apply inventive and original ideas and perspectives, thereby solving complex tasks and life issues through original ideas.

08 Strategic thinking (Cognitive and metacognitive skills)

The ability to think conceptually, imaginatively, systematically and opportunistically, leading to a clearly defined set of goals, plans, and the new ideas required to survive and thrive in competitive and changing environments.

09 Problem-solving and decision-making (Cognitive and metacognitive skills)

The ability to identify and assess issues and problems, utilize available resources to generate and “brainstorm” potential solutions, evaluate the pros and cons of solutions and decide on a solution.

10 Self-reflection and learning to learn (Cognitive and metacognitive skills)

Self-reflection is the ability to apply reason to thought and behaviour, reflecting upon personal characteristics, assessing progress and identifying areas of for self-improvement. Learning to learn is the ability to apply the cognitive process of personal learning (what and how we learn) and to make use of guidance to continuously pursue learning new knowledge and skills and strive for improvement.

11 Collect, organize and analyse information (Cognitive and metacognitive skills)

The ability to search, select, evaluate and organize information in order to effectively and efficiently mobilize relevant information. The ability to re-structure and model sourced information to produce personal interpretations of data.

12 Planning and organizing (Cognitive and metacognitive skills)

The ability to plan and organize tasks in order to fulfil the job responsibilities satisfactorily within a given time and appropriately for a complex environment and situation.

13 Career management

The ability to establish, plan and work towards the achievement of short- and long-term goals having both tangible and intangible success criteria. The ability to exchange information and ideas with individuals and groups that share a common interest, developing relationships for mutual benefit. The ability to use labour market information and intelligence to help identify work opportunities, understand work contexts and work conditions and apply job-search skills.

14 Use basic hardware (Basic digital skills)

The ability to operate a personal computer, tablet, mobile phone or other digital device using the hardware functionalities, such as a keyboard, mouse, navigation buttons and touchscreen technology, where appropriate.

15 Use basic software (Basic digital skills)

The ability to use and troubleshoot basic programs and applications, and able to word process, manage files, and access and adjust privacy settings.

16 Operate safely in an online environment (Basic digital skills)

The ability to safely use basic online functions, applications, digital learning and communication platforms and media to explore, analyse and share information safely and ethically.

17 Environmental awareness (Basic skills for green jobs)

The ability to understand and demonstrate an awareness of the physical environment and the need for it to be protected.

18 Waste reduction and waste management (Basic skills for green jobs)

The ability to use, manage and dispose of resources in ways that sustain the natural and physical environment.

19 Energy and water efficiency (Basic skills for green jobs)

The ability to use energy and water efficiently in ways that sustain the natural and physical environment.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Education for Sustainable Development Goals

Show future skills

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

OECD Learning Compass 2030

Show future skills

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)

Skills Demand for the Future Economy Report 2025

Show future skills

National Association of Colleges and Employers

Competencies for a Career-Ready Workforce

Show future skills

01 Career & Self-Development

Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.

02 Communication

Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.

03 Critical Thinking

Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.

04 Equity & Inclusion

Equity and Inclusion Competency: Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different cultures and backgrounds. Engage in anti-oppressive practices that actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism and inequity

05 Leadership

Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.

06 Professionalism

Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.

07 Teamwork

Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.

08 Technology

Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

Global Framework on Transferable Skills

Show future skills

Nicklas Kinder, Eva-Maria Danzer (The Company Journey Guide)

Meta Skills Framework

Show future skills

01

[no definition / description available]

02

[no definition / description available]

03

[no definition / description available]

04

[no definition / description available]

05

[no definition / description available]

06

[no definition / description available]

07

[no definition / description available]

08

[no definition / description available]

09

[no definition / description available]

10

[no definition / description available]

11

[no definition / description available]

12

[no definition / description available]

13

[no definition / description available]

14

[no definition / description available]

15

[no definition / description available]

16

[no definition / description available]

17

[no definition / description available]

18

[no definition / description available]

NextEducation Team der Dualen Hochschule Baden-Würrtemberg

AIComp

Show future skills

01 Activity and implementation Competence

Activity and implementation Competence for AI in professional activities is the disposition to act proactively in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and to integrate innovations in this field into one's own work context.The Competence is fundamental in nature and encompasses the knowledge, skills and mindset to orient oneself with regard to the growing importance of AI in professional and private contexts, to approach the topic with openness and critical awareness and to internalize the importance of continuous self-initiative for further training in this area. The Competence also includes an awareness of the possibilities of using AI systems for the creative development of ideas and the motivation to introduce AI systems into one's own field of activity. It also includes the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with colleagues on AI-related topics.

02 System-design Competence

System-design Competence is the ability to plan and integrate both conceptual and technological AI systems in a professional context and to implement them in specialized fields of activity. System-design Competence includes the knowledge, skills and inner attitude to analyse existing systems (both technical systems and organizations) and to assess the potential and limits of the use of AI systems for these, to actively help shape and implement them. System-design Competence also includes the instrumental ability to understand and further develop AI applications systemically.System-design Competence is the ability to plan and integrate both conceptual and technological AI systems in a professional context and to implement them in specialized fields of activity. System-design Competence includes the knowledge, skills and inner attitude to analyse existing systems (both technical systems and organizations) and to assess the potential and limits of the use of AI systems for these, to actively help shape and implement them. System-design Competence also includes the instrumental ability to understand and further develop AI applications systemically.

03 Creative problem-solving Competence

Creative problem-solving Competence is the disposition to use AI systems for creative problem-solving, idea generation and vision development. It encompasses knowledge, skills and inner attitudes that make it possible to solve complex problems by combining technical and human systems.

04 Critical digital Competence

Critical digital Competence is the ability to understand, analyse and critically evaluate the inherent logic of AI systems with regard to their use of data and their impact on organizations and society. It includes the necessary knowledge, skills and inner attitudes to be able to assess AI systems in a critical and differentiated manner in relation to a given context of values and application. (Example: being able to assess and analyze the influence of AI technologies on the handling of data).

05 Decision-making Competence

Decision-making Competence is the disposition to use AI applications and systems to weigh up alternative choices and make decisions. The Competence includes the necessary knowledge, skills and inner attitudes to consciously take responsibility for the decisions supported and/or made by AI.

06 Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy as a Competence is the disposition to master the challenges associated with AI that arise in one's own context of action through one's own actions with conviction, courage and confidence. It encompasses the necessary knowledge, skills and inner attitudes to overcome AIrelated challenges and to use AI systems in an appropriate way for one's own questions and tasks.

07 Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking as a Competence is the disposition to reflect on the underlying ways of thinking, value systems and behaviors in AI-influenced spheres of activity and to be able to evaluate how they influence actions and decisions. It encompasses the necessary knowledge, skills and inner attitudes to analytically and critically assess AI-related circumstances, systems and applications as well as their effects.

08 Active control Competence

Active control Competence is the disposition to personalize AI applications, systems and associated processes for one's own personal and professional development and to be able to shape them confidently and largely independently of external influences. This includes the knowledge, skills and inner attitudes for independent motivation and planning, cognitive load management and a high level of personal responsibility.

09 Self-determination (Autonomy)

Self-determination as a Competence is the disposition to deal autonomously and confidently with AI applications without allowing oneself to be patronized. It requires the knowledge, skills and inner attitudes to develop a critical awareness of one's own personal limits and to act in a selfdetermined manner in relation to suggestion and decision-making processes with and through AI applications.

10 Ethical Competence

Ethical Competence is the ability to recognize, articulate and critically reflect on ethically relevant issues and questions in connection with AI technologies and related processes. It encompasses the knowledge, skills and inner attitudes to deal intensively with the ethical implications of the use of AI applications and systems and includes an awareness of responsible action in relation to AI.

11 Cooperation competence

Cooperation Competence is the disposition to work in crossdepartmental/interdisciplinary development partnerships and cooperations on AI transformation projects and new projects in relation to AI, also across organizational or cultural boundaries. It includes the necessary knowledge, skills and inner attitudes as well as the willingness to learn and develop further in this regard.

12 Communication competence

Communication Competence is the ability to communicate with others about AI-related topics in different contexts in a way that is appropriate to the situation, including views that differ from one's own. It encompasses the knowledge, skills and inner attitudes required to empathically address and communicate other perspectives on AI and related issues.

NextEducation Team der Dualen Hochschule Baden-Würrtemberg

EngageComp

Show future skills

01 Civic and Democratic Competence

Civic and Democratic Competence encompasses the ability and readiness to engage actively, responsibly, and ethically in democratic and civic life through engagement in societal, practice-based, and individual contexts. This includes valuing democracy, human rights, cultural diversity, and equality, and combining participation skills with the motivation to contribute to democratic processes and societal transformation.

02 Cooperation competence (Societal context: Collaboration & Social Responsibility)

Cooperation competence relates to the ability and disposition to cooperate and collaborate in teams, both face-to-face and digitally across organisations, with the purpose of transforming difference into commonalities. It includes acting in accordance with human rights, social justice, and solidarity, and showing the willingness to invest time and effort to promote collective well-being to the common good.

03 Communication competence (Societal context: Collaboration & Social Responsibility)

Communication competence entails not only language skills, but also empathic discourse, dialogue, and strategic communication aspects, which - taken together - serve the individual to communicate successfully and in accordance with the respective situation and context, in view and empathy of her/his own and others needs.

04 Diversity & Intercultural competence (Societal context: Collaboration & Social Responsibility)

Diversity and intercultural competence refers to the ability and disposition to recognise, value, and engage constructively with human diversity across cultural, social, and linguistic contexts. It entails empathy, perspective-taking, awareness of cultural differences as well as the motivation to embrace intercultural experiences and to contribute to equitable and respectful relations in pluralistic professional and civic contexts.

05 Sensemaking (Societal context: Collaboration & Social Responsibility)

Sensemaking comprises the willingness and ability to construct meaning and understanding from the rapidly changing structures within engagement, learning, work and life contexts, to further develop existing structures of meaning or to promote the creation of new ones where they have been lost.

06 Leadership competence (Societal context: Collaboration & Social Responsibility)

Leadership competence refers to the ability and disposition to guide individuals and groups toward hared goals in organisational and civic settings. It includes directing, coaching, and leading others, often in teams, by taking responsibility, while acting in ways that motivate and inspire colleagues to follow by example. Leadership competence also entails ethical orientation, inclusivity, empathy, and building trust to foster psychological safety, along with organisational and planning capacities to coordinate collective action. Ultimately, it involves modelling responsibility and integrity supporting others in their success and contributing to transformative change.

07 Management competence (Practice context: Application & Problem-Solving)

Management competence refers to the ability and disposition to structure and steer processes, people, and resources toward defined objectives in organisational and civic contexts.It entails clarity of goals and responsibilities, efficient time and self-management, and a structured, goal-oriented approach that aligns efforts across diverse actors.This competence also covers project and process management, logistics and resource allocation, documentation and reporting, and continuous monitoring to ensure effective and inclusive execution across diverse perspectives.

08 Design-Thinking competence (Practice context: Application & Problem-Solving)

Design-Thinking competence comprises the ability to use concrete methods to carry out creative development processes open-endedly with regard to given problems and topics and to involve all stakeholders in a joint problem and solution design process.

09 Innovation competence (Practice context: Application & Problem-Solving)

Innovation competence includes the willingness to promote innovation - both technological and social - as an integral part of any organizational object, topic and process and the ability to contribute to the organization as an innovation ecosystem.

10 Digital literacy (Practice context: Application & Problem-Solving)

Digital literacy is the ability and disposition to use digital media, to develop them in a productive and creative way, the capacity to critically reflect on its usage and the impact media have on society and work, both for private and professional contexts, as well as the understanding of the potentials and limits of digital media and their effects.

11 Future and Design competence (Practice context: Application & Problem-Solving)

Future and design competence is the ability to envision, negotiate and communicate alternative, open futures and take steps of action toward them. It entails to embrace current and future situations with openness for the new, willingness to change and forward-thinking. To develop situations into other, new and previously unknown visions of the future and to approach these creatively.

12 Systems competence (Practice context: Application & Problem-Solving)

Systems competence is the ability to recognise and understand complex personal, psychological, social and technical systems and their interrelations, and to design or support coordinated planning and implementation processes for new initiatives in the system. It also includes critical awareness of political, legal, cultural, environmental, and economic systems and their global interdependencies, using this understanding to assess power structures, inequality, and sustainability, and to engage in informed societal change.

13 Learning competence (Individual context: Personal Growth & Self-Development)

Learning competence is the ability and willingness to learn in a self-directed and self-initiated fashion. It entails metacognitive skills as well.

14 Self-Efficacy (Individual context: Personal Growth & Self-Development)

Self-efficacy refers to the belief and one’s selfconfidence to plan, initiate, and complete civic tasks across contexts. It includes setting personal boundaries to sustain effort and well-being, and exhibiting professionalism. Self-efficacy encourages to take initiative and responsibility, much needed in student civic engagement, and can also be fostered through it by perceiving change and impact as a result of one’s own engagement.

15 Self-competence (Individual context: Personal Growth & Self-Development)

Self-competence is the ability to develop one’s own personal and professional capabilities largely independently of external influences. This includes other skills such as independent self-motivation and planning, but also the ability to set goals, time management, organization, learning aptitude and success control through feedback. In addition, cognitive load management and a high degree of personal responsibility

16 Self-determination (Individual context: Personal Growth & Self-Development)

Self-determination describes an individual’s ability to act productively within the field of tension between external structure and self -organisation, and to create room for self-development and autonomy, so that they can meet their own needs in freedom and self-organisation.

17 Reflection competence (Individual context: Personal Growth & Self-Development)

Reflection competence includes the willingness and ability to reflect, i.e. the ability to question oneself and others for the purpose of constructive further development, as well as to recognise underlying systems of behaviour, thought and values and to assess their consequences for actions and decisions holistically and critically.

18 Responsible Decision competence (Individual context: Personal Growth & Self-Development)

Responsible Decision competence is the ability to seize decisions and to evaluate different alternatives against each other, as well as making a final decision and taking over the responsibility for it. It includes recognising others’ needs, emotions, and lived experiences as part of the decision-making process, ensuring that decisions contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities.

19 Initiative and performance competence (Individual context: Personal Growth & Self-Development)

Initiative and performance competence refers to an individual’s ability to motivate him-/herself as well as to his/her wish of contributing to achievement. Persistence and goal-orientation form the motivational basis for performance. A positive self-concept also plays an important role as it serves to attribute success and failure in such a way that the performance motivation does not decrease

20 Ambiguity competence (Individual context: Personal Growth & Self-Development)

Ambiguity competence refers to an individual’s ability to recognise, understand, and finally productively handle ambiguity, heterogeneity, and uncertainty, as well as to act in different roles.

21 Ethical competence (Individual context: Personal Growth & Self-Development)

Ethical competence comprises the ability to perceive a situation as ethically relevant. This includes: its conceptual, empirical and contextual consideration (perceive), the ability to formulate relevant prescriptive premises together with the evaluation of their relevance, their weight, their justification, their binding nature and their conditions of application (evaluate) and the ability to form judgements and check their logical consistency, their conditions of use and their alternatives (judge).

NextEducation Team der Dualen Hochschule Baden-Würrtemberg

Future Skills

Show future skills

01 Learning literacy

Learning literacy is the ability and willingness to learn in a self-directed and self-initiated fashion. It entails metacognitive skills as well.

02 Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy as a Future Skill Profile refers to the belief and one’s (self-) confidence to be able to master the tasks at hand relying on one’s own abilities and taking over responsibility for one’s decisions.

03 Self-determination

Self-determination as a Future Skill describes an individual’s ability to act productively within the field of tension between external structure and self- organisation, and to create room for self-development and autonomy, so that they can meet their own needs in freedom and self-organisation.

04 Self-competence

Self-competence as a Future Skill is the ability to develop one’s own personal and professional capabilities largely independently of external influences (see also KMK 2015). This includes other skills such as independent self-motivation and planning. But also the ability to set goals, time management, organization, learning aptitude and success control through feedback. In addition, cognitive load management and a high degree of personal responsibility.

05 Reflective competence

Reflective competence as a Future Skill includes the willingness and ability to reflect, i.e. the ability to question oneself and others for the purpose of constructive further development, as well as to recognise underlying systems of behaviour, thought and values and to assess their consequences for actions and decisions holistically

06 Decision competence

Decision competence as a Future Skill is the ability to seize decisions and to evaluate different alternatives against each other, as well as making a final decision and taking over the responsibility for it.

07 Initiative and performance competence

The Future Skill initiative and performance competence refers to an individual’s ability to motivate him-/herself as well as to his/her wish of contributing to achievement. Persistence and goal-orientation form the motivational basis for performance. A positive self-concept also plays an important role as it serves to attribute success and failure in such a way that the performance motivation does not decrease.

08 Ambiguity competence

Ambiguity competence as a Future Skill refers to an individual’s ability to recognise, understand, and finally productively handle ambiguity, heterogeneity, and uncertainty, as well as to act in different roles.

09 Ethical competence

Ethical competence as a Future Skill Profile comprises the ability to perceive a situation or situation as ethically relevant, including its conceptual, empirical and contextual consideration (perceive), the ability to formulate relevant prescriptive premises together with the evaluation of their relevance, their weight, their justification, their binding nature and their conditions of application (eval- uate) and the ability to form judgements and check their logical consistency, their conditions of use and their alternatives(judge).

10 Design-thinking competence

The Future Skill Profile design-thinking-competence comprises the ability to use concrete methods to carry out creative development processes open-endedly with regard to given problems and topics and to involve all stakeholders in a joint problem and solution design process.

11 Innovation competence

Innovation competence as a Future Skill profile includes the willingness to promote innovation as an integral part of any organizational object, topic and process and the ability to contribute to the organization as an innovation ecosystem.

12 Systems competence

Systems competence as a Future Skill is the ability to recognise and understand complex personal-psychological, social and technical (organisational) systems as well as their mutual influences and to be able to design and/or accompany coordinated planning and implementation processes for new initiatives in the system.

13 Digital literacy

Digital literacy is the ability and disposition to use digital media, to develop them in a productive and creative way, the capacity to critically reflect on its usage and the impact media have on society and work, both for private and professional contexts, as well as the understanding of the potentials and limits of digital media and their effects.

14 Sensemaking

The Future Skill Profile Sensemaking comprises the willingness and ability to construct meaning and understanding from the rapidly changing struc- tures of meaning within future work and life contexts, to further develop existing structures of meaning or to promote the creation of new ones where they have been lost.

15 Future and design competence

Future and design competence is the ability to master the current situation with courage for the new, willingness to change and forward thinking. To develop situations into other, new and previously unknown visions of the future and to approach these creatively.

16 Cooperation competence

Cooperation competence as Future Skills relates to the is the ability and disposition to cooperate and collaborate in (intercultural) teams either in face- to-face or digitally-supported interactions within or between organisations with the purpose of transforming differences into commonalities. Social intelligence, team-working competences and consultation competence play a key role for this competence.

17 Communication competence

Communication competence as a Future Skill entails not only language skills, but also discourse, dialogue, and strategic communication aspects, which – taken together – serve the individual to communicate successfully and in accordance with the respective situation and context, in view and empathy of her/his own and others needs.

NextEducation Team der Dualen Hochschule Baden-Würrtemberg

TriComp

Show future skills

01 Creative Problem-Solving Competence (Innovation Competence)

Ability to identify practical problems in technical settings and develop innovative, feasible solutions. Involves structured methods, iterative work, and adaptability in real-world innovation.

02 Applied Innovation Research Competence (Innovation Competence)

Ability to plan and carry out applied research in technical and industrial contexts. This includes identifying questions, testing ideas through prototypes, and working in interdisciplinary teams to reflect and improve.

03 Responsible Research Competence (Innovation Competence)

Ability to conduct R&D responsibly and ethically. Involves data privacy, bias awareness, transparency, and alignment with societal and environmental values

04 Communication Competence (Innovation Competence)

Ability to communicate technical information clearly and collaborate across roles and disciplines. Encompasses verbal, written, and digital skills, active listening, and intercultural awareness for effective teamwork.

05 Interdisciplinary Collaboration Competence (Innovation Competence)

Ability to collaborate across disciplines in technical environments. Involves integrating diverse expertise, co-developing solutions, and fostering mutual respect and shared responsibility.

06 Digital Modelling & Simulation Competence (Innovation Competence)

Ability to use digital tools to design, model, and simulate technical systems. Supports virtual testing, informed decision-making, and cost-effective prototyping

07 Benchmark & Standards Competence (Innovation Competence)

Ability to apply benchmarks, standards, and norms to guide technical performance. Involves using best practices and reference models to ensure quality, safety, and reliability.

08 Innovation Management Competence

Ability to plan and manage innovation processes in technical settings. Involves setting goals, coordinating collaboration, and guiding ideas from concept to implementation.

09 Project Leadership Competence (Management Competence)

Ability to plan, coordinate, and monitor technical projects. Involves goal-setting, resource management, and team collaboration to ensure efficient and strategic outcomes.

10 Research-Driven Competence (Management Competence)

Ability to drive research-based processes within technical projects. Involves identifying knowledge gaps, applying scientific methods, and linking practice with evidence-based innovation.

11 Quality & Process Management Competence (Management Competence)

Ability to manage and improve technical processes and quality frameworks. Involves workflow planning, performance monitoring, and aligning efficiency with evolving quality standards.

12 Entrepreneurial Thinking Competence (Management Competence)

Ability to identify opportunities, assess risks, and support value creation in technical contexts. Involves proposing improvements and aligning technical work with strategic and economic goals.

13 Self & Time Management Competence (Management Competence)

Ability to reflect on one’s behavior and manage oneself in learning and work contexts. Involves selforganization, responsibility, and acting with initiative.

14 Sustainability Thinking Competence (Green-Transformation Competence)

Ability to assess the environmental, social, and economic impact of technical decisions. Involves lifecycle thinking, sustainability trade-offs, and aligning actions with long-term goals.

15 System Thinking Competence (Green-Transformation Competence)

Ability to model complex interrelations between technical, organizational, and ecological systems. Involves recognizing feedback loops, systemic risks, and unintended consequences.

16 Sustainable System Design Competence (Green-Transformation Competence)

Ability to design technical systems with sustainability and lifecycle impact in mind. Involves ecological principles, resource efficiency, and alignment with environmental standards.

17 Digital Fundamentals Competence (Digital Competence)

Ability to use basic digital technologies in technical environments. Involves navigating interfaces, using standard tools, and understanding digital support for processes

18 Data Literacy Competence (Digital Competence)

Ability to interpret and use data in technical contexts. Supports quality assurance, process optimization, and evidence-based decision-making.

19 Cybersecurity & Privacy Competence (Digital Competence)

Ability to recognize and mitigate digital risks in technical settings. Involves secure system use, data protection, and awareness of common threats.

20 AI-Literacy & Application Competence (Digital Competence)

Ability to understand and responsibly apply AI tools in technical contexts, recognizing both opportunities and limitations. Supports diagnostics, decision-making, and automation through critical, informed AI use.

21 Cloud-Based Manufacturing Competence (Digital Competence)

Ability to work with cloud-based systems in production environments. Involves connecting machines, monitoring workflows, and using cloud tools for efficiency and scalability.

22 Digital Application Design Competence (Digital Competence)

Ability to design and adapt digital solutions for technical workflows. Involves configuring tools, improving usability, and aligning applications with practical needs.

Privacy settings

You can adjust the settings for the cookies here.

Please select which cookies you would like to accept and confirm by clicking the button. You will then be redirected back to the start page.

Please note that if you check the External media box, data such as your IP address may be transmitted to Google and thus possibly to a third country without a data protection agreement. This happens especially when you watch our videos. You can find more information here: Privacy Policy