Rangtahi

Youth

Around the world, researchers are examining what skills our rangatahi will need to succeed in a future shaped by rapid technological, social, and environmental change - offering insights into creativity, resilience, digital fluency, and the human qualities that will help young people flourish in the years ahead.

With the help of AI - and drawing on insights from UNESCO, The World Economic Future and the OECD - here is a snapshot of the capabilities people, organisations and communities will need to thrive in the years ahead.

Future Skills 2030–2050+

Creativity & Imagination
Generating new ideas, exploring alternatives, designing solutions to problems we don’t yet know exist.
Critical Thinking & Foresight
Seeing patterns, questioning assumptions, anticipating long-term consequences, and making ethical choices.
Adaptability & Resilience
Thriving in uncertainty, bouncing back from setbacks, and shifting skills across multiple careers.
Collaboration & Social Intelligence
Working across cultures, disciplines, and geographies; empathy, negotiation, leadership, teamwork.

To read the full reports, keep scrolling.

Digital, Data & AI Literacy
Understanding and working with emerging technologies (AI, robotics, big data, cybersecurity) while keeping human judgement at the centre.
Systems & Interdisciplinary Thinking
Connecting the dots across science, art, culture, and technology to address global and local challenges.
Sustainability Mindset
Embedding environmental responsibility, social equity, and cultural respect into decision-making.
Moral & Ethical Reasoning
Balancing innovation with fairness, privacy, cultural identity, and long-term human wellbeing.

UNESCO

Publication: The futures we build: Abilities and competencies for the future of education and work (2023)

UNESCO explores how rapid social, environmental, and technological change will shape the lives of young people, and what abilities they will need to navigate an unpredictable future. The focus is on creativity, cultural understanding, empathy, and shared responsibility — the human capabilities that help communities thrive.

World Economic Forum

Report: The Future of Jobs Report 20205

The World Economic Forum looks at global workforce trends and the skills that will be most in demand as technology, AI, and automation accelerate. Their research highlights the rising importance of creativity, critical thinking, adaptability, and collaboration — skills that machines can support but not replace.

OECD

Report: Future of Education and Skills 2030 / 2040

The OECD examines the long-term shifts affecting young people and identifies the competencies needed to live well and contribute meaningfully in the future. Their work emphasises creative problem-solving, cultural and global awareness, resilience, and the ability to learn and adapt across a lifetime.

Explore Report Here