Keyword: «pedagogical higher education institutions»

In the modern digital society, pedagogical higher education institutions play a strategic role in preparing qualified specialists capable of educating future generations and responding to contemporary educational challenges. Along with professional subject knowledge, the development of soft skills among future teachers is becoming increasingly important. The article examines the necessity of developing soft skills in students of pedagogical universities within the context of digital transformation. Skills such as empathy, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity are becoming integral components of a modern teacher’s professional competence. The article substantiates the importance of maintaining a balance between deep subject knowledge (hard skills) and interpersonal flexible skills (soft skills). It also discusses the value of adaptation to changes in the labor market and educational environment, creative problem-solving, and effective teamwork abilities. In conclusion, the authors propose integrating soft skills development methodologies into curricula to prepare competitive and comprehensively developed педагогical professionals for the digital society.