What Skills your Child will need by 2030?

18 September, 2025

What Do We Mean by Learning

Earlier this month, AIS Saigon welcomed Mike Lambert, Regional CEO of Inspired Education Group, to speak with parents about one of the most pressing questions in education today: what skills will our children need to thrive in the future?

With decades of experience in international education and a global perspective drawn from leading Inspired schools across Asia-Pacific, Mike brought both research insights and practical examples to the discussion. At the heart of his presentation was a simple but powerful idea: “Learning is a relatively permanent change in our knowledge, skills and understanding that occurs as a result of reinforced practice.”

This definition highlights an important truth: learning is not simply about memorising for the short term. Real learning takes place when knowledge and skills become part of who we are, available for use in new and unfamiliar situations. A child learning a musical instrument, for instance, begins with hesitant notes but through practice develops fluency, until expression becomes natural. A maths student may start by following steps mechanically, but over time gains the deeper understanding to solve entirely new problems.

Mike illustrated this with the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve, which shows how quickly we forget new information unless it is reinforced. Without practice, up to 70% of what we learn can be lost within 24 hours. But with regular review and application, the curve flattens, and knowledge becomes embedded for the long term. This is why the definition emphasises reinforced practice — because repetition, reflection, and application are what transform temporary knowledge into permanent learning.

What the Research Shows

Independent studies by Nesta and Pearson show that the skills landscape is changing rapidly. Routine and predictable skills — clerical tasks, basic data entry, and other repetitive work — are expected to decline as automation accelerates.

In their place, demand will grow for distinctly human skills: originality, active learning strategies, fluency of ideas, critical thinking, speaking and expression, and social perceptiveness. These are the skills that help students generate new ideas, make connections across disciplines, and collaborate effectively with others.

Crucially, these skills are not only developed in the classroom. They are reinforced through the broader experiences of a holistic education — through extracurricular activities, school trips, residential camps, and exposure to visiting speakers who bring fresh perspectives. A debating competition, a music ensemble, or a service project in the community each offers practical opportunities for students to practise creativity, communication, and collaboration.

This is why the research aligns so closely with AIS Saigon’s approach. Its holistic programme ensures that the skills most valued by future employers and society are embedded in daily school life and reinforced beyond the classroom.

The Human Advantage

If technology can take on the repetitive, it is the human qualities that will stand out: curiosity, imagination, empathy, and resilience. These are not “extras”; they are the essential attributes that will equip students to navigate uncertainty and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Think of a student rehearsing with a theatre group, learning to listen, to adapt, and to express emotion convincingly. Or an athlete on the field, building teamwork and perseverance in the face of challenge. These experiences strengthen the same learning muscles that research tells us will matter most in the future.

Why Holistic Education Matters

This is why education today must go beyond the narrow boundaries of academics. It has to be holistic. At AIS Saigon, this philosophy is woven into the fabric of school life through Inspired Education’s three pillars:

Academic Excellence – fostering rigorous thought and intellectual curiosity.
Sports – developing teamwork, resilience, and wellbeing.
Creative & Performing Arts – nurturing imagination, expression, and confidence.

Together, these pillars ensure that learning is not just about gaining knowledge but about forming habits of mind, body, and spirit that last a lifetime. They create the conditions for students to practise and reinforce the very skills that will define the world of work and society by 2030.

Where Does Artificial Intelligence Fit In?

Artificial Intelligence is already transforming industries, and education is no exception. Understandably, parents often ask what role it should play in their child’s learning.

At AIS, the answer is balanced. AI is powerful, but it is not the centrepiece of education — it is a tool. Used wisely, it can reduce repetitive tasks, personalise aspects of learning, and free teachers to focus on what they do best: inspiring students, sparking curiosity, and encouraging originality.

As part of Inspired Education, AIS has the advantage of global scale. The group invests in leading AI partnerships, applies strict safeguarding, and tests technology carefully before it reaches the classroom. The goal is always the same: to ensure technology supports teachers and students, rather than replacing the human relationships at the heart of education.

Future-Proofing Our Children

Looking ahead, the challenge is clear. Our children will need adaptability, originality, and humanity as much as they will need knowledge. Real learning — the kind that endures, transforms, and empowers — will be their greatest asset.

At AIS Saigon, we are committed to preparing students not just for the next exam, but for life. By combining academic excellence with opportunities in sport and the arts, and by using technology responsibly, we ensure our graduates are equipped to thrive in a future that will demand both skill and character.

The future will belong to those who can think deeply, adapt quickly, and keep learning throughout their lives — and these are the qualities we are committed to nurturing at AIS Saigon.

Come and learn more about AIS Saigon by booking a tour.