Communicative English, a category B driving license, and basic Excel skills? This combination on a CV is no longer enough to succeed in the job market and in today’s changing world. We know exactly what skills every Pole should acquire in the coming years.
Since 2020, a unique document has been in effect in Poland: the Integrated Skills Strategy 2030 (ZSU 2030). It is a national plan for the development of Poles’ competencies—not just for children and youth, but also adults and the elderly—adopted by the Council of Ministers. What is it about, and what does ZSU 2030 mean for ordinary citizens?
Lifelong Learning
The overarching motto of the strategy is so-called lifelong learning (LLL). This does not mean that every Pole will soon find a notice in their mailbox ordering them back to school, but rather that in a rapidly changing world and with the swift development of technology and artificial intelligence, the most important human skill is seen as the ability to adapt to new conditions. This is only possible if we are able to learn new things independently and throughout our lives.
ZSU 2030 contains a specific list of skills, divided into several groups, that are currently essential for everyone. The first group is so-called basic skills, the second—transversal skills, and the third—professional skills. While professional skills should differentiate us, as we have different professions, basic and transversal skills constitute a new standard that must be taken into consideration.
From Cybersecurity to Voting in Elections
According to ZSU 2030, basic skills include: understanding and creating information; multilingualism; mathematical skills; skills in natural sciences, technology, and engineering. Let’s translate this into everyday life.
Modern Poles should be able to communicate in at least one foreign language, with an emphasis on English. Since the "virtual world" has become the real world, it is time to master the use of digital tools and AI, learn to recognize fake news, and know the principles of cybersecurity. A huge number of new professions will be based on technology and data analysis, hence the emphasis on mathematics. Ecological competencies are no longer a whim, and denying the climate catastrophe can be compared to believing the earth is flat and rides on a turtle’s back.
Transversal skills are more numerous and can be described as "soft skills." This group includes: digital skills; personal and social skills; civic skills; learning skills; entrepreneurial skills; cultural awareness and expression; critical thinking and complex problem-solving; teamwork skills; adaptability to new conditions; leadership abilities; multicultural competence; creativity and innovativeness.
This is a whole range of competencies—from risk management at work and at home, to a tolerant attitude toward minorities and understanding the role of every citizen in a democracy, such as the obviousness of voting in elections.
What Does ZSU 2030 Expect?
ZSU 2030 expects every person living in Poland—a student, employee, senior—to continuously develop the above competencies. It is our responsibility to stay up-to-date, but the education system, labor market, and social system are meant to support us in this. According to the Strategy, every citizen has the right to know where and what they can learn, and access to training and information should be widespread. Online platforms and databases are here to help us:
https://uslugirozwojowe.parp.gov.pl/
https://kompetencjecyfrowe.gov.pl/