Why Employability Skills? Successful careers are built on solid personal and interpersonal skills. Defining, measuring, and building these skills— even naming them— can be challenging. In an effort to leverage and connect the efforts of policy makers, educators, and employers, the U.S. Department of Education compiled the Employability Skills Framework and developed related tools, media and resources.
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Applied knowledge is the thoughtful integration of academic knowledge and technical skills, put to practical use in the workplace.
Applied knowledge falls into two main areas:
Applied academic skills enable employees to put skills based on academic disciplines and learning— such as reading, writing, mathematical strategies and procedures, and scientific principles and procedures— to practical use in the workplace.
Critical thinking skills enable employees to analyze, reason, solve problems, plan, organize, and make sound decisions in their work.
Developing effective relationships in the workplace requires a combination of interpersonal skills and personal qualities.
Interpersonal skills include the ability to collaborate as a member of a team or work independently, as appropriate; communicate effectively; maintain a positive attitude; and contribute to the overarching goals of the workplace.
Personal qualities that contribute to effective relationships include responsibility, self-discipline, flexibility, integrity, and initiative. Other essential qualities are a sense of professionalism and self-worth; willingness to learn; and acceptance of responsibility for one's own personal growth.
Workplace skills are the abilities employees need to successfully accomplish work tasks. Workplace skills include:
Resource management skills enable employees to successfully perform work tasks by managing time and other resources.
Information use skills enable employees to successfully perform work tasks by understanding, evaluating, and using a variety of information.
Communication skills enable employees to successfully perform work tasks by communicating effectively with others in multiple formats.
Systems thinking skills enable employees to successfully perform work tasks by understanding relationships among the components of a system.
Technology use skills enable employees to successfully perform work tasks by applying information technology appropriately and effectively.
Employability Skills Checklist
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Employability Skills Lesson Components
Applied Academic Skills
Applied academic skills are evident daily in homework assignments, classwork, and Q&A exchanges during lessons.
- Reading skills
Students apply/demonstrate reading skills... - Writing skills
Students rely on writing skills... - Math strategies/procedures
Students use computational skills... - Scientific principles/procedures
Students follow procedures...
Critical Thinking Skills
Critical thinking skills are evident in homework, group work, project-based tasks, and presentations.
- Thinks creatively
Students create innovative ideas... - Thinks critically
Students display analytical thinking... - Makes sound decisions
Students differentiate between approaches... - Solves problems
Students assess problems using resources... - Reasons
Students negotiate pros/cons of ideas... - Plans/organizes
Students plan procedures and steps...
Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are displayed when students work in pairs or teams...
- Understands teamwork
Students contribute fairly and respect others. - Responds to customer needs
Students help peers understand tasks... - Exercises leadership
Students act as leaders or effective members... - Negotiates to resolve conflict
Students suggest alternatives and discuss options. - Respects individual differences
Students listen and work well with others.
Personal Qualities
- Demonstrates responsibility
- Adapts and shows flexibility
- Works independently
- Willingness to learn
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Takes initiative
- Positive attitude
- Professional growth
Resource Management
- Manages time
- Manages money
- Manages resources
- Manages personnel
Information Use
- Locates
- Organizes
- Uses
- Analyzes
- Communicates
Communication Skills
- Communicates verbally
- Listens actively
- Comprehends written material
- Conveys information in writing
- Observes carefully
Systems Thinking
- Understands and uses systems
- Monitors systems
- Improves systems
Technology Use
- Understands and uses technology
