21st Century Skills in the Business FieldChristopher Cleasby (Business Representative) September, 14, 2010

Business in the 21st Century

Business in the 21st Century is fast moving, and constantly changing. Companies have to deal with the customer’s wants & needs, while working through financial pressures. Innovation is required to think outside the box, to make timely changes to systems and processes. If this does not happen, the competition will take advantage of this weakness.

Employers are looking for intelligent, adaptable employees, which have the ability to cross-train, or grasp additional functional areas. This can only be accomplished if Core-Knowledge Skills remain as the highest priority, providing for a good foundation for our students to grow.

Additional emphasis on determined 21st Century Skills must be slowly embedded into the school curriculums.

Business Skills Required

Core Knowledge (Reading, Math, Sciences, Economics, Geography, History, etc.)

Communication Skills (Written and Verbal)

Adaptability / Flexibility

Global Awareness / Cultural Acceptance

Individual and Team Focus

Initiative / Creativity / Risk TakingCritical Thinking Skills

Listening

Leadership

Systematic Planning

Self Awareness

Technology Literate

Continuous Learning

Time Management

Personal Drive

Languages Work-Ethic

Self-Direction

What is Driving these Skills Greater Competition - Increased

Domestic/International Politics (Laws, Regulations, Policies, Treaties, and

Wars) Economy Technological Changes Customer Behavior (Needs, Wants, and Desires) Lean/Profit-Centric Organizations Demographics (Population changes, Densities,

Ages, etc.) General Environmental Changes

My Thoughts on Next Steps Create a realistic plan to implement into our

schools Create a high-level plan that addresses focus of core skills Create Elementary, Middle, High School general

requirements Provide specific requirements to the grade level

Motivate the Teachers Find key faculty members at every school who will embrace

this change and champion the cause

We need to aggressively work towards obtaining local business financial support for our initiative

Added funds will only help Brevard Schools implement changes

Reading Materials

http://21stcenturyskillsohio.org/?p=1 http://nble.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/21st+Century+Wor

kplace.pdf http://www.metiri.com/21/Metiri-NCREL21stSkills.pdf http://www.metiri.com/21/21%20Century%20Skills%20Final.doc http://www.metiri.com/21st%20Century%20Skills/

PDFtwentyfirst%20century%20skills.pdf http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2007/06/21st-century-

business-panel.html