Refer to an essential combination of 21st century skills also commonly known as soft skills, human skills, or power skills. The term emphasizes the lasting value and universal applicability of these skills. They include problem-solving, leadership, critical thinking and personal skills like teamwork, cognitive flexibility, adaptability, collaboration, creativity, negotiation, initiative, risk-taking, cognitive flexibility.  Several research studies have demonstrated that durable skills are increasingly in demand by employers. 

Durable skills differ from hard skills in that hard skills are more often traditionally taught by colleges and universities, and easily measured and credentialed. By contrast, durable skills are seldom directly taught by higher education institutions and are more challenging to measure. 

Durable skills are recognized for their lifelong durability, while hard skills often become outdated or irrelevant over a lifetime, depending on the industry group in which employees are applying their technical skills. Durable skills are transferable and relevant in any job, cannot be easily displaced by technology, and are critical to creating positive work environments.