HOW TO TEACH SOFT SKILLS THAT EMPLOYERS NEED

(c)2013 TLC Workforce Solutions

TERRY CARLILEWWW.TLCWORKFORCESOLUTIONS.COM

(c)2013 TLC Workforce Solutions

Action orientation, drive and self initiationAssertivenessBig picture thinking and strategic thinkingCoaching and developing peopleCommunication (speaking, listening, empathy, body language, writing)Composure and self presentation (appearance, manners and etiquette)Conducting meetingsConflict managementConsensus buildingConvictionConvincingCounselingCreativity and innovation

Dealing with ambiguityDecision making

Dependability and reliabilityGoal setting and result orientation

IntegrityIntellectual horsepower and learning

Internal motivation and passionInterpersonal skills

Know yourself (introspection)Mentoring

Moral courageNegotiation

ObservationOpenness and flexibility (paradigm shifting)

PresentationProblem solving and process orientation

Self confidenceSelf development

Stress managementTask management

Team buildingTeam work

Time managementTrustworthiness

Soft Skills definition:What is: Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance an individual's interactions, job performance and career prospects. Unlike hard skills, which are about a person's skill set and ability to perform a certain type of task or activity, soft skills are interpersonal and broadly applicable.

Soft Skills definition:Wikipedia: is a sociological term relating to a person's "EQ" (Emotional Intelligence), the cluster of personality traits, social graces, communication, language, personal habits, friendliness, and optimism that characterize relationships with other people. Soft skills complement hard skills which are the occupational requirements of a job and many other activities.

Skills Gap: Challenges for the US• Young workers will change careers 10-

14 times during their lifetime.• Many are unprepared for this reality.• The concept of lifetime employment will

be replaced by lifetime employability.• Soft skills will be the common

denominator no matter the job title.

Where can teaching soft skills intersect these four essentials?

SKILLS GAP

YouthEducators

Workforce

Employers

Profiteers

5. Employer comments:1. You may not land the highest paying job at first

and you probably won't be the CEO in a year. Be the first to volunteer, arrive early, stay a little later than the others, stay positive and keep motivated.

2. Employers are seeking employees who exhibit leadership skills, problem solving, creative thinking, etc. People with the right attitude are trainable.

3. Focus on attitude - we can train for skills4. Explain how and why each and why the soft skills

are necessary.

5. Other employer comments:5. You can teach certain tasks, but you can't

teach Character. Hire for Character, teach for skill.

6. Make education and training as practical as possible. Create confidence enabling the student to skillfully compete.

7. Instill in them the ability to think outside the box.

8. Actually all of the above would be nice.

Anne G: Looking for things that need to be done during down time rather than waiting to be told to do something. Being proactive when they see something needs to be done. Also being responsible for keeping their items clean (This is not just youth) Some people have a habit of thinking their mother works there and will clean up after them. 

Andy D: Smile and tell your customer thank you when they buy from you. Basic respect will go a long way with your customers. Very few people tell their customers thank you!

Susan W: Show up on time, dressed appropriately, and be ready to work when you arrive. I can probably teach them the rest.

Patrick M: If I could find someone who could complete a sentence without the words "Like" and "You know" that would be a great start. "You guys" is another communication winner. I feel like the Valley Girls from the 1980's have actually won the battle to destroy the language... Like, uh, you know?

4. From the results, what can you conclude?

Observation: “Are we

talking about VALUES?”

5. How can YOU integrate work soft skills in your daily agenda?

A. Design a listing of most common soft skills.

B. Enlist other teachers in awareness.

C. Authenticate skills by career professional presentations.

BONUS: send simple survey request to local Chamber of Commerce for their input.

D. Transition class from education setting to workplace environment:

1) Mimic a business environment.2) Create a business name, product,

etc.3) Have students CEO, managers,

time sheet, workplace rules, incentives (vs paycheck)…

4) Develop HR for job descriptions, job postings & interview process.

5) Include budgets.6) Day to day operations.

E. Relate the Skills

InitiativeTeamwork

CommunicationUsing Tech

Problem Solving Self manage

Learning for lifePlanning/Organization

Contact:terrycarlile@gmail.com

(903)261-3311

www.tlcyouthservices.netProvide business card for monthly email