New survey highlights the need for an educational shift to equip students with essential soft skills as AI reshapes the workplace
The report, based on a Harris Poll survey of 3,000 recent college graduates, educators, and hiring managers, shows that more than half of recent graduates wish they had developed stronger creativity skills during their education. Both hiring managers and educators agree that today’s graduates are falling short in the skills needed for the workforce. With creativity ranking among the top skills sought by employers, the findings underscore the urgent need for educational institutions to prioritize creative skill development to prepare students for success in an AI-driven world.
Creativity is emerging as a crucial skill, on par with traditional STEM subjects, yet it often lacks the attention it deserves in current educational curricula. The findings emphasize the need for education systems to evolve, placing greater focus on fostering creativity to ensure students are equipped with the skills required to thrive in today’s and tomorrow’s careers.
Carly Daff, Canva’s Head of Teams & Education said, “Even with technology and AI reshaping the workforce, creativity is one of the few skills that will always be essential for innovation and problem-solving. Despite 81% of graduates seeing creativity as essential for success in their current roles, and 75% of hiring managers prioritizing it when hiring, we’re still not investing enough in developing this crucial skill. Education systems need to better prioritize and nurture creativity to ensure students are equipped for the future’s demands.”
Key findings from Canva’s Creativity in Education Report
- More than three-quarters of hiring managers are prioritizing creative thinkers when making hiring decisions. Creativity is highly valued and ranks among the top three sought-after skills hiring managers look for (57%), alongside problem-solving (58%) and communication (55%).
- More than half of recent college graduates wish they had developed stronger creativity skills during their education. 80% of recent graduates believe creativity is crucial for success in their current roles, and they also rank creativity as the most useful skill they learned in college.
- Only 38% of educators and 56% of hiring managers think graduates are adequately prepared for the workforce. Despite 69% of recent graduates feeling their education prepared them well, there is a significant skills gap that highlights the urgent need for educational systems to better align with the skills required by today’s job market.
- Lack of time, curriculum support, and resources are major barriers for educators in integrating creativity. 83% of educators agree that creativity will become more important in education. However, 36% cite insufficient time, 34% mention lack of curriculum support, and 32% struggle with inadequate resources as the biggest obstacles to effectively integrating creativity into their teaching.
- 85% of hiring managers believe AI will increase the need for creative thinking. As AI continues to transform the job market, 84% of recent graduates and 80% of hiring managers believe creativity will become even more essential, highlighting its enduring importance as one of the most valuable soft skills.
Amy Schultz, Canva’s Global Head of Talent Acquisition said, “We review more than 300,000 applications each year, and the most successful candidates are those who can think outside the box and approach problems with a creative mindset. We believe in investing in creativity from the ground up, starting in the classroom, so the next generation is equipped to meet future challenges.”
