In the rapidly evolving landscape of the 21st-century job market, specific skills have become increasingly valuable and sought after by employers. These skills go beyond technical expertise and encompass soft skills, hard skills, life skills, and adaptability to thrive in a dynamic and interconnected world. They are referred to as “The Employability Skills”.
The combination of these skills is recognized as a constructive approach that can help to meet today’s challenges in the modern workplace. However, each sector has its own distinct required employable skills. This means the different sectors require specific skills that will make you employable and give you an edge over other candidates.
For better understanding, find below a thorough explanation of the three categories of required workplace skills;
HARD SKILLS
These are objective and quantifiable skills gained through training, school, or work experiences. They are skills that can be learned or actively applied. They are easy to prove and demonstrate. Usually, they are technical (but only sometimes) and easily measurable.
Hard skills can be demonstrated through educational certificates or practical demonstrations. It typically also enables you to earn.
Examples are skills you have that can help you get jobs as a product manager, virtual assistant, website manager, etc. They are typically technical or analytical.
SOFT SKILLS
These are personality traits, social competencies and skills, knowledge, and abilities used to perform interpersonal activities and unique tasks. Sometimes, they are also called human skills.
Soft skills are personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with others. These skills don’t come with certifications but are easily identified while working with an individual.
Examples are- emotional intelligence, communication skills, etc.
LIFE SKILLS
These skills are “a group of psychosocial competencies and interpersonal skills that help people make informed decisions, solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, build healthy relationships, empathize with others, and cope with and healthily manage their lives. They are usually called skills required “to make the most of life”.
Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable humans to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of life.
Examples are- decision-making, time management, etc.
With the rise of evolving job markets in the 21st economy, there is a surge in the requirement of the above-mentioned skills in the different work sectors; hence, the need to make oneself acquire them to be “available and employable” at this age and time.
Are you an unemployable youth or woman confused about why your email is full of job rejection emails?
Are you seeking workplace skills that make you relevant in this rapidly evolving economy?
If your answer is “YES”, comment “workplace skills” or email us if you lack clarity on the skills or training you need next career-wise. itrainafrica@gmail.com.
We will connect you with a career advisor at the Skilled For Work (SFW) academy by I-Train Africa.
SFW is a finishing school for literate youths and women starting their careers or transitioning who hope to gain 21st-century, in-demand workplace skills to become globally employable.
Aderinsola Adio-Adepoju (PhD), based on my experience training people in the last 4 years who have become globally employed and my experience working internationally twice, I will highly recommend the “WORKPLACE FOUNDATIONAL PROGRAM” in the academy to you as it contains 35+ lessons covering the soft, life and digital skills/tools/software you need to get started as a beginner or person transitioning.
As Written By I-Train Africa in 2024