Essential Skills Needed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR): A Systematic Literature Review

This paper harnesses a systematic literature review (SLR) approach to assess what skills are needed for individuals to remain relevant in The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The 4IR is transforming the way in which people work and live, and presents new challenges for the future workforce. New necessary skills are emerging that people have to develop in order to keep up with these changes and survive the 4IR. The objective of this paper is to inform all relevant role-players such as business, policy makers and individual workers, of the necessity of pursuing new skills in order to share in the benefits that the 4IR will bring. In comparison with industrially developed countries, developing countries have a larger percentage of their workforce unprepared for the changes that technology brings to the workplace. Development of the relevant skills will enhance job creation and promote sorely needed economic growth in Africa. This SLR was based on a search of four databases and a total of 32 papers, dated between 2017 and 2022, were identified and analysed. From the papers, four main categories of skills are identified, educational learning approaches are described and workforce skill development programs are listed. It was found that human capital development is a prerequisite for countries’ participation in the 4IR, and specifically the development of soft skills. Many opportunities await for greater cooperation between Europe and Africa in the context of skills development. This includes skills development programs and cross-cultural exchanges. Such collaborative efforts would benefit workers in both regions and also promote economic growth and job creation all round.