Employability in today’s global economy requires more than reading, writing and arithmetic. Mastery of core academic skills is certainly important, but employers need critical thinkers, problem solvers and leaders to tackle the challenges of the 21st-century workplace. Data from The Learning Curve 2014 report suggests that a well-rounded skill set and employment in which these skills are used and maintained are critical to connecting learning to earning and driving improved employability and economic outcomes.
21st Century Skills: Beyond Reading, Writing and Math
According to the Learning Curve report, in recent years it has become increasingly clear that basic reading, writing and arithmetic, while essential, are not necessarily enough. The importance of non-cognitive skills – usually defined as abilities important for social interaction – is also pronounced. A British study released from the Centre for the Economics of Education at the London School of Economics, found that teacher-assessed levels of social adjustment at the age of 11 correlated just as strongly as a child’s cognitive abilities at that age, with an individual’s likelihood of employment at 42, and had about one-third of the impact on adult pay. Such social understanding is also integral to a new range of abilities which educationalists have identified as ‘21st century skills,’ including communication, working in teams and problem-solving.
“The world economy no longer pays for what people know, but for what they can do with what they know,” said Andreas Schleicher, deputy director for education at the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), in the report. For instance, despite the success of Asian education in inculcating numeracy and literacy, systems in that region are frequently criticized for relying on rote education. One study found that for each of their twice-a-semester exams, South Korean students have to memorize between 60-100 pages of facts in order to do well. This type of teaching is presumed to impede creativity and the ability of students to address unexpected problems, either alone or in groups, according to the Learning Curve report.
How Higher Education Institutions Can Establish Key Employability Competencies that Build Lifelong Success
An important part of helping learners to achieve lifelong success is helping them build the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors they need to gain and maintain employment in the 21st-century job market. To help students make a successful transition into the workforce, the following are key competencies for successful, long-term employment opportunities.
1. Core academic competencies (reading, writing, mathematics and digital literacy)
One key component of career readiness is the ability to put core academic knowledge, like literacy, numeracy, writing and critical thinking skills to use in the workplace. Mastery of these core competencies prepares learners to analyze, reason, plan and organize to make sound decisions.
2. Occupational Competencies
In addition to core academic competencies, career readiness requires the mastery of occupation-specific competencies, developed in both formal and experiential learning environments. This includes mastering specialized skills required to complete the functions and tasks of a particular job. This mastery is often signified through industry-recognized credentials. Institutions should consider collaborating with employers to ensure their learners are prepared for real-life work situations.
3. Personal and Social Capabilities (interpersonal skills and qualities)
The ability to build and maintain effective relationships is critical to success in any career in any sector of the job market. Personal and social capabilities, or “soft skills,” are the interpersonal skills and personal qualities that enable individuals to both manage themselves and interact effectively with others in the workplace. These programs can help learners develop these vital requirements for 21st-century employment.
4. Career Knowledge and Transition Skills (ability to manage one’s career)
Making a positive impact on employment outcomes is about more than helping people get jobs. It’s also about preparing them for long-term success, as their professional goals and employment opportunities evolve over time. With an understanding of career pathways and a well-developed set of transition skills like networking and interviewing, lifelong learners are better prepared to progress in their careers.
By building a career readiness ecosystem that aligns learner outcomes to job-ready expectations, higher education providers can improve employability and help lifelong learners achieve their goals.
