What Do Omaha Employers Want in the Age of AI? UNO Skills Report Reveals the Top 10

AI-related skills are in high demand, but so are writing, teamwork, and knowing how to give a good presentation. UNO’s latest Skills Report shows that succeeding in an AI-driven workforce requires a human mix of skills.

What’s happening: The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Center for Competencies, Skills, and Workforce Development (CCSW) has released its annual UNO Skills Report, which focuses on the skills employers are currently seeking and how the university is helping students develop and demonstrate those skills.

Top skills: This year’s Top 10 Skills were identified using data from Lightcast, a leader in labor market intelligence, faculty input, and feedback from the CCSW Advisory Board.

1. AI for Decision Support*
2. Financial Analysis*
3. Marketing Communication*
4. Data Analysis
5. Decision Making
6. Microsoft Office
7. Presentations
8. Project Management
9. Teamwork
10. Writing

*New for the 2026-27 report

What they’re saying:

• Erin Bass, Ph.D., CCSW Executive Director: “The UNO Skills Report is important because it reflects UNO’s unwavering commitment to working with students to develop their professional skills, ensuring they leave UNO not only with the knowledge that they gain in the classroom, but also with visible, credible skills they can carry into the workplace.”
• Jason Coleman, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives: “Workplaces and industries are evolving every day. It’s important to understand what skills employers are seeking and to provide UNO students with intentional opportunities to develop these skills. The UNO Skills Report guides the development our skills portfolio to position students for long-term success. Our students are not only the future of the workforce locally, but nationally as well and with these skills, they are able to make a positive impact wherever their career takes them.”

Why it matters: UNO is advancing a skills-based approach to education. The university is using workforce data and employer feedback to identify professional skills, teaching those skills within academic courses, and giving students the opportunity to obtain verified badges they can use when entering the workforce.

How it works: Opportunities to build these skills are intentionally incorporated into students’ coursework, streamlining the process of developing them.

• As students demonstrate their abilities, they earn digital UNO Skill Badges, which serve as verified credentials that showcase their professional skills.
• After completing assignments in existing courses that demonstrate skills such as teamwork or data analysis, students’ work is assessed by faculty using standardized rubrics. Once the student scores proficient on the skill, they receive a digital badge recognizing the skill they have gained.
• These badges then may be shared on LinkedIn, resumes, or with employers. Due to them being digital, they are portable and built to align with national credentialing standards, making them relevant beyond campus.

What’s next: UNO reassess the Top 10 Skills needed in growing professionals annually. With this, they plan to continue expanding the badge library while being the connecting piece between academics and transferable workplace skills. Employers interested in badge partnerships or work-based learning opportunities can connect via innovate@unomaha.edu.