The New Workforce Readiness Model by the LDI

The Learning and Development Initiative (LDI) is the non-credit division of NJIT and connects people to the skills and knowledge they need to succeed by offering a vibrant portfolio of non-degree credentials via courses, custom training, microcredentials, and workforce development programs. 

Because of its innovative approach to education in the age of AI, The 2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report: Teaching and Learning Edition included the LDI's Workforce Readiness Model in its Evolving Teaching Practices section. Released on May 12, 2025, the report "captures the spirit of this transformation and how you can respond with confidence through the lens of emerging trends, key technologies and practices, and scenario-based foresight."

With a focus both on the learner and the future, the LDI uses its innovative Workforce Readiness Model to build a portfolio of vibrant, vital and relevant courses to support organizations and individuals interested in upskilling, reskilling, and skilling in order to stay competitive in today's ever evolving world.

To download the 2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report: Teaching and Learning Edition, click here.

To contact the LDI, please email Michael Edmondson, Ph.D., Associate Provost for Continued Learning. LINK

Preparing for the Future: NJIT's New Workforce Readiness Model

As artificial intelligence reshapes the nature of work, workers must evolve alongside technology to stay competitive. The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has introduced a Workforce Readiness Model designed to equip learners with essential skills for the future. This model highlights eight key areas: two foundational domains (vital and job-specific skills) and six specialized skill domains that align with today's volatile and complex work environment.

Two Foundational Skill Domains:

• Vital Skills and Knowledge - Vital skills, often called soft or essential skills, provide the bedrock for lifelong learning and career growth. These abilities include communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability, enabling individuals to thrive amid rapid changes. Building strong vital skills helps workers stay resilient and valuable no matter how industries transform.
• Job-Specific Skills and Knowledge - Job-specific skills refer to the hard skills required for specialized industries or roles. These technical abilities demand continuous refinement as industries innovate and technologies shift. Workers who master their craft stay competitive and capable of meeting evolving employer needs.

Technological Fluence Skill Domains:

• AI Literacy - AI literacy involves understanding how artificial intelligence operates, including its strengths, limitations, and ethical dimensions. Workers need this knowledge to leverage AI tools responsibly and strategically in their fields. Mastering AI literacy ensures employees collaborate effectively with emerging technologies rather than feeling displaced by them.
• Digital Literacy - Digital literacy empowers individuals to navigate and utilize various digital tools, platforms, and technologies with confidence. In a world where virtual collaboration and remote work dominate, this literacy becomes a basic professional requirement. Workers who adapt quickly to digital innovations increase their efficiency and broaden their career prospects.
• Data Literacy - Data literacy means possessing the ability to understand, interpret, and communicate data clearly. In today's data-driven economy, making informed decisions hinges on this skillset. Workers who can analyze trends and insights help organizations innovate and compete more effectively.

Adaptive Competency Skill Domains:

• Agile Thinking - Agile thinking encourages a growth mindset and the ability to learn continuously. Workers who adopt agility respond more creatively and efficiently to new challenges. Cultivating agile thinking not only boosts career longevity but also fuels innovation within organizations.
• Resource Optimization - Resource optimization focuses on managing time, tools, and efforts to maximize productivity with minimal waste. Professionals who master this competency achieve better results with fewer resources, strengthening their impact. Efficient workers naturally rise as leaders in organizations seeking smarter, leaner operations.
• Change Navigation - Change navigation refers to recognizing and steering through shifts with minimal resistance. Professionals skilled in this domain help organizations remain dynamic and resilient amid disruption. By guiding teams through transitions smoothly, change navigators ensure continued relevance and success.

Conclusion

NJIT’s Workforce Readiness Model offers a forward-looking framework for success in an AI-driven era. By mastering both foundational and specialized skill domains, workers position themselves as indispensable contributors to tomorrow’s economy. In a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world, strategic skill development remains the key to thriving, not just surviving.

The Learning and Development Initiative (LDI) is a division of NJIT and, in collaboration with NJIT’s wholly owned non-profit organization, the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), connects people to the skills and knowledge they need to succeed by offering a vibrant portfolio of non-degree credentials via courses, custom training, events, learning and development services, and workforce development programs. Through its commitment to professional education and corporate learning, LDI provides tailored upskilling and reskilling opportunities that empower individuals and organizations to stay competitive in an evolving job market. By integrating professional development, lifelong learning, and industry-aligned training, LDI fosters career advancement and organizational growth across diverse sectors.