Multi-skill workers lead the job market in 2026

The resonant impact of digital transformation, economic restructuring, population aging and global competitive pressure forces both businesses and workers to change faster and more deeply.

Digital skills will become a basic condition

From the perspective of the organizing unit, connecting labor supply and demand in the capital, Mr. Vu Quang Thanh - Deputy Director of the Hanoi Employment Service Center - commented that in 2026, there may no longer be a clear line between the "technology industry" and the "traditional industry". Digital skills will become a basic condition, present in most job positions, from production, services to management.

Workers do not necessarily have to become technology experts, but they must know how to use technology in their work: Work on digital platforms, process basic data, operate smart machines, interact with digital management systems. Locations that do not meet this requirement will gradually be narrowed or replaced. In addition, technological thinking - understanding how technology changes processes and improves efficiency - is considered as important as tool use skills. This is a factor that helps workers adapt when businesses continuously update new systems, software and management models" - Mr. Vu Quang Thanh affirmed.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Bui Duc Anh - Human Resources Director of Tandicom Group (Kim Ma Ward, Hanoi) - said that another clear change in the labor market in 2026 is the need for multi-skill workers, businesses prioritize recruiting people who can take on many tasks, coordinate inter-sectoral and flexibly adapt to changes.

Mr. Duc Anh added that the model of "each person has a fixed job" will gradually make room for a flexible, multi-purpose labor model that specializes in some core skills. This helps businesses streamline their apparatus, reduce costs and increase resilience to fluctuations. For workers, this is both an opportunity and a challenge. Those who proactively learn and expand their skills will have more job options. On the contrary, people who can only do a single job will face a higher risk of job loss when businesses restructure. In the previous period, hard skills were given top priority, in 2026, soft skills and adaptive thinking were considered factors that determine long-term stability" - Mr. Duc Anh said.

Enterprises need to change the way they use and develop human resources

From the perspective of the enterprise, Mr. Le Quang Trung - former Deputy Director in charge of the Department of Employment - said that to adapt to the 2026 labor market, it is impossible not only to wait for available human resources from the market but also to proactively invest in training and skills development for workers.

Accordingly, building internal training programs, retraining and improving skills not only helps businesses have a suitable workforce but also increases the level of employee engagement. When given the opportunity to learn and develop, workers are willing to accompany for longer. In addition, businesses need to adjust the working environment in a flexible and transparent manner, focusing on balancing efficiency and employee health.

On the part of workers, the 2026 market requires proactive thinking because if they wait until they are out of work to retake the course, it will put their employees in a passive position, making it difficult to compete. Mr. Trung recommends that workers should re-evaluate existing skills and market demand; focus on in-depth learning of long-term valuable skills; combine professional skills with digital skills and soft skills; be ready to change positions or fields when necessary. In particular, young workers need to avoid the psychology of chasing short-term trends but should choose a sustainable skills development direction, associated with personal capacity and long-term needs of the market.

Ms. Ta Thi Kim Thanh - Head of Human Resources Department of a medical equipment group in Hoang Mai Ward (Hanoi) - assessed that the labor market in 2026 will be strongly screened but also open up new opportunities for workers with appropriate skills and flexible thinking.

"Conversion does not only happen in individuals but also in businesses and the policy system. When training, use and treatment of labor are put at the right center, the labor market will operate more effectively, contributing to improving productivity and growth quality. In that context, skills, adaptability and a lifelong learning spirit are the most important tickets for workers and businesses to proactively and sustainably enter 2026 - Ms. Thanh emphasized.

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