Rapidly advancing technology and its impact on education has been a subject of debate. How can schools equip students with the skills they need to succeed in a challenging job market?

Since technology is driving these changes, there is a theory that governments should keep focusing on STEM subjects. These are often referred to as “hard skills,” which are     1     in primary school and right through to university level. In the meantime, ‘soft skills’ are being     2    .

This is a mistake. Much evidence suggests that soft skills are far more     3     to graduates in the long term. Research from Harvard University on the global job market has shown that STEM- related careers grew strongly between 1989 and 2000 but have slowed down since. In contrast, jobs in the creative industries----the sector probably most     4     with the need for soft skills---are growing rapidly. Soft skills are, in fact, increasingly in demand in the workplace: Google cites creativity, leadership     5     and communication skills as top requirements for both potential and current employees.

So why are soft skills so highly     6     for?

With the rapid evolution of technology, a focus on hard skills leaves students     7     to change, as these often have a short shelf life. According to research by World Economic Forum, more than one in four adults reports a mismatch between their skills and those needed for their job role. If soft skills are taught well, these skills should enable students to adapt to change more easily and progress further in their     8     career.

Of course, technical skills are important. But without the curriculum placing equal--- if not greater ---     9     on soft skills, our education systems are missing a huge trick. Hard skills may help a student get a job in a particular industry, but soft skills will help them disrupt it, achieving a wider     10     in their chosen field.