Fashion with a future.

The name

What “future skills” actually means

“Future skills” is a general label for the abilities people are expected to need as work and society change — because of technology, climate pressures and shifts in the labour market. There is no single official definition; each organisation or report draws the list a little differently.

Most lists share the same core. Digital and data literacy come up in nearly all of them, together with critical thinking and problem solving, and creativity. Adaptability and the ability to keep learning matter just as much, because specific job skills go out of date quickly. Collaboration and communication appear everywhere, and sustainability competence has been added in recent years.

The EU has its own competence frameworks that Erasmus+ projects often draw on: DigComp covers digital competence, GreenComp sustainability, EntreComp entrepreneurship and initiative, and LifeComp personal and social skills and learning to learn. Many youth exchange applications and reports cite these when they describe what participants gain.

In fashion, the term tends to include circular design, repair and reuse, knowledge of materials and supply chains, and digital design tools — alongside the general skills above. That combination is what our ateliers teach.