Dubai: Youth should develop soft skills in post-Covid world, say experts

Young people must develop their soft skills and find their unique talents as they move across an ever-evolving post-Covid-19 world, said experts.

Sharing career advice to the youth during the opening session of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Saeed Al Nazari, Director General of the Federal Youth Authority, said people's character, system of values, beliefs and identity are the constants that make them unique in an era where jobs are fast-changing.

“We call it core skills instead of soft skills," he explained.

Character building, Al Nazari noted, lies at the core of the Federal Youth Authority’s priorities for its importance in helping youth conquer challenges and become more adaptive.

“Financial literacy, for example, is significant in today’s world. But if we do not understand the ideas, emotions and behaviours connected to investments or the psychology of finance, we will not be able to make efficient decisions,” he said.

Establishing a clear vision for the future is key to adapting to the surrounding environment. “We need to understand and learn the power of connecting the dots between now and where we aspire to be in 10 years. Once the vision and destination are clear, you can keep changing and adapting to your environment,” said Al Nazari.

Captain Dr Abdulla Bin Ahmad AlShaikh, Head of the Diplomatic and Consular Affairs at Dubai Police, stressed that it is the youth’s personal responsibility to balance their educational degrees with their skills. Unpredictable times and health crises must be taken as an opportunity to gain a new perspective and shape skills.

“During Covid-19, for example, we gained skills and knowledge on how to work remotely,” said AlShaikh.

“To be well-prepared for tomorrow, we need to think of the skills we have and the skills we desire to have to benefit ourselves, societies and the world.”

He urged the youth to incorporate reading into their lives in fields outside their scope and gain writing skills to tell their stories and share their challenges.

Developing a sense of curiosity and wonder can open young people’s perspectives on possibilities.

sherouk@khaleejtimes.com