New White Paper Highlights the Indispensible Role of Soft Skills in the Future of Education

Music Mark Member SoMi Academy shares news of their newly published white paper, which highlights the importance of soft skills in education and the workplace.

SoMi Academy has released a new white paper, The Indispensable Role of Soft Skills in the Future of Education: A Societal and Economic Imperative, which argues that schools must prioritise the development of soft skills from the earliest years if the UK is to prepare young people for the demands of the future economy.

The paper sets out evidence showing that soft skills such as communication, teamwork, creativity, and resilience are increasingly critical in the workplace, with the World Economic Forum projecting that by 2030, more than two-thirds of jobs will be heavily reliant on these attributes. It highlights that group music making is one of the most effective vehicles for developing these skills, offering unique opportunities for collaboration, leadership, and self-expression from a young age.

Key findings include:

• Economic impact – Research cited in the paper shows that investment in soft skills could boost productivity by billions of pounds annually, helping to close skills gaps and meet labour market demands.
• Educational outcomes – Participation in structured group music activities is shown to enhance not only musical ability but also pupils’ confidence, behaviour, and engagement across the curriculum.
• Social value – Soft skills are linked to improved wellbeing, social mobility, and long-term employability, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.
• Urgency for schools – While the national curriculum recognises the importance of music, provision remains inconsistent. Many schools lack the time, expertise, or resources to deliver music effectively, risking a missed opportunity to embed these critical skills early.

Joe Wilson, Human & Partnerships Director at SoMi Academy, said:

“The evidence is clear: soft skills are not optional extras. They are the foundation for future success in education, work, and life. Group music making is one of the most powerful ways to nurture these skills from the earliest years, yet access remains patchy. This white paper is a call to action for schools and policymakers to rethink the role of music in the curriculum.”

The paper concludes with recommendations for schools and education leaders to integrate music provision more strategically, not only to meet curriculum obligations but to deliver long-term social and economic benefits.

The full white paper is available to download here.