Professionals are focusing on digital and managerial skills

Skills for innovation. And for the managerial running of the practice, in which digital technology becomes an infrastructure capable of enhancing and capitalising on professional knowledge. At the heart of the transformation driven by by artificial intelligence and hyperconnectivity, professionals are proposing a paradigm shift: technical upskilling is undoubtedly essential, but it must go hand in hand with the development of new practice management skills, alongside the use of artificial intelligence to enhance the quality of professional services. This need and call to action emerge from the Third Survey on Continuing Professional Development (employers – year 2026) conducted by the Confprofessioni Observatory, which involved 1,295 professionals.

Professionals were asked which topics they would explore in greater depth if they had access to high-quality training programmes. The responses show that the area currently perceived as strategic is that of innovation and digitalisation, cited by 43.7 per cent of respondents, ahead of technical, professional and regulatory updates, which stood at 32.1 per cent. This figure marks a turning point, as it indicates that the compulsory training provided to date by the professional bodies needs to be rethought, to help professionals make the most of their technical skills and improve the resources – including human resources – at their disposal.

These needs are clearly highlighted by the survey: amongst the most frequently cited topics is the management of one’s practice or professional activity (21.7 per cent of respondents). Among the skills considered essential, the following stand out in particular: time management and prioritisation (25.3 per cent), effective communication (21.0 per cent), leadership skills (14.6 per cent) and problem-solving (13.9%).

It is, above all, young people who are aware that they must face competition using new tools. “The data clearly shows that the nature of professional work has changed profoundly: technical expertise alone is no longer enough; what is needed is a genuine ability to manage complexity,” comments Marco Natali, president of Confprofessioni. “The professional,” says Natali, “is now a manager in every sense of the word, called upon to manage clients, staff, digital processes and the financial sustainability of the practice. In this new context, soft skills and organisational ability are no longer optional, but fundamental pillars for remaining competitive.”