In the era of globalization and technology, society demands young generations of citizens
able to work in a kind of environment characterized by complexity and diversity. Therefore, the
education system faces a new kind of challenge, as graduates are reported to need transversal skills,
which are unlikely to be learned through traditional classroom teaching. The overall aim of this article
is to examine the needs for these skills and their acquisition by higher education teachers to cope
with the evolving European labour market of the 2020s. The article envisions the importance of soft
skills in the teaching profession. The empirical part consists of a comparative study with Italian and
Portuguese teachers, highlighting the status of a set of crucial soft skills (assertiveness, networking
skills, teamwork, sensitivity, socialization, action-orientation, ability to work under pressure and
social desirability).
