3.1 The school to work pipeline

Dyslexic Thinking is highly valued in the workplace.

The world’s biggest careers platform – LinkedIn – recognises it. And some of the biggest global employers – HSBC, EY and Microsoft – are actively recruiting for it.

Dyslexic Thinking skills are an exact match for the skills identified in the World Economic Forum’s Top Skills For The Future report (2025).

But recruiters (Randstad, 2024) say the world of education needs to catch up and begin to recognise and nurture Dyslexic Thinking skills.

Leading educators agree (Intelligence 5.0 report, 2024) that schools, universities, and workplaces need to work together to prepare learners for the rapidly changing workplace.

   The school-to-work pipeline

Timing: 3 minutes

In this video, Kate explains that the skills dyslexics are hard-wired with, are now the most in demand in the workplace.

Show transcript|Hide transcript

Transcript

KATE GRIGGS

The indisputable fact is, dyslexic thinking is vital for our future. Research proves it. The world's biggest careers platform, LinkedIn, recognises it. And some of the biggest global employers, HSBC, EY, and Microsoft, are actively recruiting for it. They see dyslexic thinking as the vital skill to move their organisations forward. Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft says, "Dyslexia is a skill, it's a strength, it's a talent pool, and we desperately need you. So come as you are, and do what you love."

And in the latest World Economic Forum Top Skills of 2023 Report, dyslexic thinking skills are a direct match for the top five skills needed. Just to recap, they are analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, and agility, motivation and self-awareness, and curiosity and lifelong learning.

That is why we need to create inclusive classrooms and schools where dyslexic thinking is empowered in every learner because what helps dyslexic learners actually helps all learners. And valuing soft skills in everyone is vital. Let's hear what Matt Higgs from global recruitment company Randstad and Gavin Horgan from Millfield Schools think about the school-to-work pipeline.

MATT HIGGS

The workplace is really beginning to recognise that dyslexic thinking is a skill and something to help them overcome the talent shortage that we hear about. I think when it comes to the education system, I think that there is a significant difference. And I don't think the education system recognises or is aware of what the workplace is needing.

So when you look at what the World Economic Forum talks about, that the skills of the future are, the workplace does understand it. And the workplace is beginning to put in place mechanisms to allow dyslexics to flourish. When we talk about organisations like EY and HSBC, that's what they're doing. When you look at the education system, it's not set up to recognise these skills.

GAVIN HORGAN

We all know that schools are the preparation for life. They're the crucible within which the future workforce is formed. And it's about preparing children for the future. Now, that future has already changed. And it's going to change incredibly fast over the next 20 years. And schools need to be at the forefront of that change, rather than where we are at the moment, which is lagging behind somewhat.

Workplaces, particularly ones that are part of this movement, have realised that there's a need for a radically different approach to workforce recruitment. We need to get universities to be part of this discussion as well because schools typically prepare children to go to university. They help them get the results that they need to access the best university.

So if we can all work together, workplaces, universities, schools, and education departments around the world, in defining what those skills are and the best approach that we need to take in schools to achieve those skills, then the world will be a happier place. And I know that along the way, we will be supporting dyslexic learners far better than we are at the moment.

End transcript

 

Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).