Five ways an international education gives students a skills advantage

Sponsored content: created in partnership with Duolingo.

According to the 2023 Future of Jobs Report from the World Economic Forum, the labour market around the world is experiencing huge disruption due to environmental, digital and economic trends. Artificial intelligence and new technologies will radically alter the face of jobs sooner than we think, and businesses are short on skills that will help them adapt to this new normal. 

Graduates entering this volatile market can gain an advantage by understanding the skills employers need. The benefit of an international education is that – alongside core academic qualifications – students can build skills that hiring managers are urgently seeking. Here are five ways an international education can help students stand out:

• Understand the technology skills gaps in your target market. Many emerging economies have growing technology industries but a shortage of qualified professionals in high-demand areas such as AI, data science, cybersecurity and machine learning. A survey commissioned by digital transformation consultancy UST found that 76 per cent of business leaders feel there is a severe AI skills shortage. Gaining exposure to these technologies in countries with strong digital ecosystems could give students the edge, making them desirable candidates. 
   
• Develop the soft skills employers need. AI looks set to take over an increasing proportion of workplace tasks, but businesses still need workers who can deploy critical thinking, problem solving and creativity. Exposure to international education practices such as group work and interdisciplinary projects can help to build these vital skills. The World Economic Forum says the highest priority for skills training between 2023 and 2027 is analytical thinking. 
   
• Build cross-cultural competence. An international education not only builds language skills for students but also enhances their understanding of other cultures’ workplaces. Culturally adaptable employees are an asset to global employers as they can communicate more easily across borders and markets. An international education is also valuable for developing leadership skills because students learn how to manage and work with diverse teams and are exposed to global management theories. 
   
• Support start-ups and new sectors. Emerging industries such as renewable energy and blockchain, particularly in countries where these are very new fields, need graduates who’ve had exposure to these workplaces in markets where these sectors are more advanced. As countries begin to move closer to their climate commitments, this will also generate demand in the jobs market. According to the International Labour Organization, implementing the Paris Agreement could mean a net gain of 18 million jobs by 2030.
   
• Foster a continuous learning approach. In a jobs market where many roles will become obsolete in the coming years and many new ones will emerge, students need to be comfortable with constantly learning new things. According to the 2021 Skills Outlook from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, embracing lifelong learning will help businesses and their employees adapt to the digital and green transitions ahead. As well as helping students bridge the skills gaps in local markets, lifelong learning will boost the diversity of teams as everyone adapts to the changing needs of the global economy.

Find out more about the Duolingo English Test.