Five Tech Skills to Prepare Your Child for A Tech Career.
In today’s ever-evolving world, knowing the right tech skills to prepare your child for a tech career is vital to their success.
The tech industry is constantly evolving. Therefore, it’s important to give your child a solid headstart with these tech skills so they’re ready for whatever the future holds.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through five tech skills that will set your child on a path to becoming the next tech prodigy.
These skills are:
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Coding
- Digital design
- Robotics
- Cybersecurity
Artificial intelligence (AI)
You’ve probably heard of AI; it’s everywhere these days! And it’s here to stay.
AI is one of the fastest-growing tech skills of the 21st century. In many ways, it is transforming our lives. An example is Google’s voice assistant for Android devices. You also find it in many industries like healthcare, finance, and transportation.
But don’t limit the skill to these industries; your child can harness it in their tech career path.
Statistics from Forbes Advisor project that the AI market will reach a staggering $407 billion by 2027, experiencing substantial growth from its estimated $86.9 billion in revenue in 2022.
You can Introduce your child to the world of AI by encouraging them to explore the basics, like an understanding of how machines can learn and make decisions, machine learning, and natural language processing.
They can even explore AI-powered toys and games, making learning fun.
Your child can learn about AI by taking online courses, reading books, or watching educational videos. They can also participate in AI-related extracurricular activities, including tech boot camps.
Coding
Coding is another essential tech skill for the future. It is the language computers speak. It is the basis of many websites, apps, and software programs.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted that – from 2021 to 2031 – there will be a massive 25% increase in software developer jobs.
With coding, your child will also develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills that will be valuable in any career.
Many languages like Python, JavaScript, or Scratch are in high demand across different industries.
There are many ways that you can help your child learn to code. Start by introducing them to basic concepts, like variables and loops.
Also, you can encourage your child to practice by engaging in coding challenges and projects.
Digital Design Tech Skills
In the digital space, aesthetics matter. This is where design comes in. It involves designing graphics with digital tools. It is the creation of graphic elements or illustrations for websites, apps, digital media, and digital products.
With a solid foundation, your child can explore careers in animations, graphic design, UI/UX, Digital Art, and 3D modelling.
For emphasis, a report by the Market Stats Ville released in December 2022 confirms the global animation and VFX market size value at USD 167.9 billion in 2021. It is estimated to reach USD 401.0 billion by 2030.
The statistic above is for animation. Positively, it means that opportunities as a digital designer abound for your child.
Your child will learn to express and share their ideas and creativity through design.
Firstly, you can introduce your child to basic principles, such as typography and colour theory.
In due time, you can help your child learn more about design with online courses, books, and videos. They can also participate in clubs or boot camps to create, work on projects, and learn some tools, like Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, and Sketch.
Robotics
Robotics is the field of engineering that deals with the design, construction, operation, and understanding of how robots work and solve problems.
Various industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation, use robots for tasks. Therefore, the growing demand for robotics engineers. Your child will also develop problem-solving and engineering skills that will be valuable in other fields.
For example, the manufacturing industries use robots for tasks like assembling, welding, painting, and packaging.
A great place to start with robotics is to introduce them to the basics, such as actuators and sensors. Your child can explore robotics kits and learn the basics of automation.
Cybersecurity
In a world threatened by insecurity, cybersecurity is essential. Teach your child about online safety, data protection, and hacking.
Cybersecurity protects computer systems and networks from unauthorised access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.
With this skill, your child can protect you and your family from online threats.
Not only this, but your child can work in organisations to analyse and protect them from cyber-attacks and lessen risks.
Conclusion on Tech Skills for Your Child’s Career in Tech
The Future of work is constantly evolving, and you can equip your child with the right skills to excel.
With any of these skills, you give them the tech advantage, discover their interests, and spark their curiosity early.
If your child is interested in learning, many online courses, tutorials, and boot camps offer guidance and roadmaps.
Here are some additional resources that you can use to help your child learn tech skills:
- Codecademy is a free online learning platform that offers coding courses.
- Khan Academy has free online courses on tech topics, including AI, coding, and robotics.
- Scratch is a free online platform for kids to create interactive stories, games, and animations.
- Sabiteach is an ed-tech platform that offers a tech design boot camp that teaches your child design thinking and design tools.
- Tynker is a paid online platform that teaches kids how to code through interactive games and puzzles.
Disclaimer: Aside from Sabiteach, NONE of these links are affiliate links or paid ads. We make no money from these recommendations.
