The Future of Skills: Why Tracking and Developing Talent Is Mission-Critical for 2030
The Race to Upskill: A Global Challenge
If you are a business leader you may feel like the ground you stand on is constantly shifting—for companies in Latin America, the United States, and beyond, the next five years could be a turning point in the race to upskill and adapt. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, 46% of all the skills workers use on the job today, are expected to change by 2030. This disruption is being driven by sweeping global forces such as artificial intelligence, automation, the green transition, shifting demographics, and a demand for more inclusive and agile organizations.
In the United States, employers are already responding. American companies are aggressively investing in AI, digital transformation, and employee upskilling, with an emphasis on balancing technical proficiency with critical soft skills like emotional intelligence, leadership, and resilience. The U.S. labor market is among the most dynamic, with 23% of jobs expected to be disrupted by 2030, and companies are anticipating the need to prepare workers for the jobs of the future as well as the displacement of portions of the job force.
In Latin America, the transformation is just as intense—if not more so. In countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, over 80% of companies expect to accelerate task automation and adopt advanced technologies in the coming years. However, many organizations face structural challenges in the form of outdated regulations, informal labor markets, and limited access to mid-career learning programs. Despite the obstacles, the need to adapt or die is a constant motivation for companies to face these challenges. To do so, companies across the region are prioritizing employee well-being, talent retention, and internal mobility as key levers of growth.
To stay competitive in both regions, companies will need not only to develop future-ready skill sets—but also to track and manage skill development in real time. That’s where platforms like Escal8 provide critical value, offering AI-powered tools for learning, performance management, and internal talent intelligence and mobility.
What Are the Most Critical Skills for 2030?
The WEF report identifies a powerful mix of technical and human skills that will dominate the job market by 2030. These include:
- AI and Big Data – The #1 growing skill globally and regionally, critical to digital transformation.
- Technological Literacy – The ability to learn and apply new tools rapidly.
- Analytical and Creative Thinking – In demand across industries to solve complex problems.
- Resilience, Flexibility, and Agility – Especially important in a fast-changing business environment.
- Leadership and Social Influence – Guiding diverse, hybrid teams in high-stakes environments.
- Curiosity and Lifelong Learning – A strong predictor of career adaptability and organizational growth.
In the U.S., employers are leaning into automation and artificial intelligence—but they’re also placing growing importance on soft skills such as initiative, accountability, and systems thinking. The emphasis is shifting from just hiring for technical roles to building adaptive, cross-functional teams ready to take on rapidly evolving challenges.
In Latin America, the trend mirrors this shift. In Brazil, 9 in 10 companies are investing in skill development related to AI, creativity, and emotional intelligence. In Colombia, over 60% of employers are prioritizing career growth opportunities and employee well-being. These human-centered strategies are seen as essential to retaining top talent and staying ahead of regional labor shifts.
Spotlight on Mexico: A Workforce on the Edge of Transformation
Mexico stands out in the report as a country undergoing rapid digital transformation. An impressive 95% of companies in Mexico expect AI tools to significantly impact their operations by 2030, while 82% are planning to automate more tasks—placing Mexico among the global leaders in technological adoption.
The top roles expected to grow in Mexico include:
- Information Security Analysts
- Big Data Specialists
- AI and Machine Learning Experts
In terms of soft skills, creative thinking, resilience, and sustainability awareness are expected to become vital. However, Mexico also faces structural labor market challenges:
- Unemployment among highly educated individuals stands at 21%
- 46% of employment is considered vulnerable or informal
- Mid-career training access is limited, scoring 3 out of 7 in the WEF’s readiness index
Yet, there is optimism: 53% of companies in Mexico expect to improve talent retention, suggesting a strong opportunity for organizations that invest in effective talent development and tracking systems to upskill their workforce.
Why Technology-Led Skill Development and Tracking Is the Game Changer
Here’s where a platform like Escal8 plays a pivotal role. Escal8 helps organizations:
- Map critical skills by role, department, and growth goals
- Deliver AI-personalized learning paths aligned with each employee’s needs
- Track progress and outcomes through intuitive dashboards
- Create internal talent pipelines that support promotions and reskilling
This is more urgent than ever. The WEF found that 86% of companies globally expect to fund skill development programs. That makes it essential to have intelligent tools that not only deliver learning—but also track, adapt, and align it with business priorities.
The Bottom Line
The future of work in the United States, Mexico, and across Latin America will be shaped by how quickly organizations can close the skills gap—and how well they can measure and manage that progress. With nearly 60% of workers worldwide needing training by 2030, platforms like Escal8 give companies a powerful advantage: a dynamic, data-driven approach to developing, engaging, and retaining talent.
At Escal8, we’re building the tools that power the next generation of work. Let’s shape the future of talent
📌 Reference: World Economic Forum (2024). The Future of Jobs Report 2025.