By Quick answer: What are the top skills to learn in 2027?
- Fastest-growing — AI and big data (WEF).
- Second — networks and cybersecurity.
- Third — technological literacy.
- Change ahead — 39% of core skills expected to change by 2030.
Key takeaways
- Technology skills lead the growth list, but every job needs them.
- Pick one technical skill and one human skill to build in 2027.
- Certifications give each skill a finish line.
The World Economic Forum's 2025 report expects 39% of workers' core skills to change by 2030, and names AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy as the fastest-growing skills.1 Here are the skills to learn in 2027, and one certification that proves each.
Ten skills, ten certifications
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google AI EssentialsGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan2 | Under 10 hours (per course page) | Free test |
| 2 | Google Data Analytics Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan3 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 3 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store4 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 4 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1005 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 5 | Google IT Support Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan6 | 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 6 | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)Microsoft | Exam priced by country7 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 7 | Google Project Management Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan8 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 8 | AI For EveryoneDeepLearning.AI / Coursera | Free to audit on Coursera9 | About 7 hours | Free test |
| 9 | PCEP – Certified Entry-Level Python ProgrammerPython Institute | Check the official page10 | 30-question style entry exam (see official page) | Free test |
| 10 | Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan11 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- AI Literacy CertificationPractise for Google AI Essentials before you pay.Start free test →
- Statistics for Data Analysts CertificationPractise for Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Cloud Practitioner Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner before you pay.Start free test →
Each skill, and the certification that proves it
- CourseraGoogle AI EssentialsAI$49/mo Coursera plan
- CourseraGoogle Data Analytics Professional CertificateBig data and analytics$49/mo Coursera plan
- CompTIACompTIA Security+CybersecurityVoucher price on the CompTIA store
Google AI Essentials
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan2
- Time
- Under 10 hours (per course page)
AI is the fastest-growing skill. Google AI Essentials teaches practical use in under ten hours. Google's short course teaches practical generative AI for everyday work: drafting, research, analysis and using AI responsibly. It needs no technical background and takes under ten hours, so it suits almost any professional who wants to use AI tools with more confidence.
Best forAI
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan3
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Big data and analytics: spreadsheets, SQL and Tableau, about six months part-time. Google's professional certificate teaches spreadsheets, SQL, Tableau and R through case studies and ends with a portfolio capstone. It's designed for beginners, takes about six months at ten hours a week and offers financial aid on Coursera.
Best forbig data and analytics
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store4
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Cybersecurity is the second-fastest-growing skill area. Security+ is the standard first credential. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best forcybersecurity
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1005
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
Cloud underpins networks and data. A $100 first exam. AWS's entry exam covers cloud concepts, core services, security and billing. It's 90 minutes with 65 questions and costs $100, so it's the usual first cloud exam for beginners and non-technical staff.
Best forcloud and networks
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan6
- Time
- 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week
Technological literacy: troubleshooting, networking and security basics for anyone. Google's professional certificate covers troubleshooting, networking, operating systems, system administration and security for complete beginners. It takes three to six months at about ten hours a week, with financial aid on Coursera.
Best fortechnological literacy
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country7
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Turning data into decisions with Power BI. Microsoft's Power BI Data Analyst exam proves you can prepare, model and visualise data and share reports securely. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, with free Microsoft Learn training and free online renewal every 12 months.
Best fordata visualisation
Google Project Management Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan8
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Project delivery skills useful in every field. Google's professional certificate teaches traditional and agile project management for beginners, about six months at ten hours a week. It can meet CAPM's 23-hour education requirement, and financial aid is available.
Best forproject delivery
AI For Everyone
- Cost
- Free to audit on Coursera9
- Time
- About 7 hours
AI literacy for non-technical people, about seven hours, free to audit. Andrew Ng's non-technical course explains what AI can and can't do, how AI projects work and how to plan for AI in an organisation. It takes about seven hours, can be audited free on Coursera and is a strong first step for managers and non-specialists.
Best forAI literacy for everyone
PCEP – Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer
- Cost
- Check the official page10
- Format
- 30-question style entry exam (see official page)
Programming basics in Python, the most used language in data and AI. The Python Institute's entry exam proves core Python: data types, control flow, functions and basic data structures. It's vendor-neutral and a good first exam-based credential before PCAP; check the official page for the fee.
Best forprogramming
Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan11
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Digital marketing skills, from SEO to analytics. Google's professional certificate covers SEO, search and social advertising, email, analytics and e-commerce with portfolio projects. It takes about six months at ten hours a week, and financial aid is available.
Best fordigital marketing
Pick two skills for 2027
- One technical — AI, data, cloud or security.
- One applied — project delivery, marketing or analysis.
- One certification each — with an exam date.
How we ranked these picks
We used the WEF's Future of Jobs Report 2025 for skill trends and matched each skill to a credible certification. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most in-demand skill for 2027?
AI and big data top the WEF's list of fastest-growing skills.
Which skills will change the most by 2030?
The WEF expects 39% of core skills to change, led by technology skills.
Are soft skills still important?
Yes. The WEF also lists creative thinking, resilience and curiosity among growing skills.
Which certification proves AI skills?
Google AI Essentials for everyone; AWS or Google Cloud ML exams for specialists.
Is there a free skills test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers 1,200+ free certification tests across in-demand skills.
Sources
- World Economic Forum — The Future of Jobs Report 2025
- Google — Google AI Essentials, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google IT Support Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Project Management Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- DeepLearning.AI — AI For Everyone, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Python Institute — PCEP – Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Science of Apps free certification catalogue — 1,200+ free tests
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top AI skills to learn in 2027, and the certification that proves each oneThe top AI skills to learn in 2027, each with a certification: prompting, AI at work, LLM building, AI on cloud, ML engineering and AI strategy.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Tech trends 2027: seven certifications for generative AI, AI agents, cloud AI and securityThe tech trends of 2027 and the certifications that match them: generative AI, AI assistants, cloud AI, AI security and data, with 7 picks.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Is Cybersecurity Still Worth Getting Into in 2027? — answered for 2027Is cybersecurity still worth getting into in 2027? Networks and cybersecurity rank among the WEF's fastest-growing skills. How to start and what to expect.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Is Data Analytics Still a Good Career in 2027? — answered for 2027Is data analytics still a good career in 2027? AI and big data top the WEF's growing skills. What's changing and the certifications to start.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027AI-resilient careers in 2027: certifications that help protect your job as AI changes workCertifications that help protect your job from AI in 2027: AI literacy, security, cloud, leadership and hands-on skills, with honest caveats.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 certifications and courses of 2027: one for each career path, nothing you don't needThe top 5 certifications and courses for 2027, one per career path: AI, cloud, data, cybersecurity and project management, with costs and enrol links.
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