Revolution or adaptation of soft skills? Evolution and priorities in the Spanish labour market

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine whether the trends on the impact of soft skills, identified in the main international reports used by decision-makers of public–private institutions, correlate with the evolution of their demand in the Spanish labour market and whether these dynamics reflect a structural transformation in employability strategies or, on the contrary, a short-term adaptation of talent management policies by the employers. Design/methodology/approach This study uses an exploratory sequential approach. Firstly, a qualitative content analysis of leading future of work reports identifies emerging, evolving and declining soft skills. A thematic analysis of recurring patterns by sector is presented below, providing insight into sector-specific priorities. Subsequently, the quantitative analysis includes an assessment of the frequency of soft skills in key reports and an assessment of skills distributions by sector and year, aligning qualitative insights with quantitative evidence. Findings This study reviews trends in soft skills extracted from 12 relevant international reports, complemented by an empirical analysis of the demand for soft and hard skills in 2,930,630 job offers in Spain. The findings show a discrepancy between the importance highlighted in these reports and the real evolution observed in the market. This underscores the need to implement public policies that enhance sector-specific soft skills and close existing gaps. Research limitations/implications This research is based on a review of global reports and the analysis of empirical data from job offers in Spain during the period 2018–2023, which entails some limitations inherent to approaches based on secondary data and literature reviews. However, the study’s implications are significant for guiding future research and public, educational and labour policy interventions. Originality/value This paper compares global projections on soft skills – based on high-impact reports – with empirical data derived from job offers in Spain, evidencing a notable discrepancy between the rhetoric of these reports and the real demand for skills in the labour market. The study presents a solid approach to understanding current trends and projecting future developments in the demand for key competencies to meet the challenges of digital transformation.