Employers are becoming increasingly concerned about job candidates’ lack of foundational “soft skills,” at a time when millions of openings at companies continue to go unfilled. In fact, the demand for people with soft skills in the workplace is growing as fast as the demand for those with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills.
Soft skills — such as professional communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and time management are highly valued by employers across business sectors. The importance of these skills are widely acknowledged and the assumption might be that people already have these skills. However, surveys and research shows this skill set is in great demand in the workforce. People skills, which have become rusty in an age of social media where there is less face–to–face contact, are more important than ever as organizations and businesses are challenged to find meaningful ways to remain competitive and be productive.
According to Florida Ready to Work, 92% of Florida employers plan to hire, yet 81% say lack of key employability skills is a threat to their business. Make sure your team members exhibit communications skills, math readiness, work-ready reading skills to understand, interpret and analyze information, and manage and understand workplace data.
Two stackable credentials certify for employers not just what potential new hires may know, but what they can do. The credentials further validate readiness to take the next step toward employment, technical training, on-the-job training or promotion.
CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia is committed to providing businesses with employees that are ready for the workplace. Florida Ready to Work is a state-sponsored essential soft skills and foundational employability skills training and credentialing solution that focuses on four key soft–skill areas:
Employers use the program to identify qualified new hires and skillup incumbent workers. Results include reductions in hiring costs, training time, and turnover. It is also state funded with no cost to employers or job seekers! The training is self-directed, self-paced and accessible from any computer or tablet anytime.
Earning the Soft Skill Credential Benefits Employers
Employers benefit in important ways from having employees earn the Essential Soft Skills credential. It reduces costly turnover, improves productivity and maximizes on–the–job training. And according to WIN research, with this credential employees are more likely to work successfully in teams to achieve mutual goals and objectives, demonstrate willingness to work, show initiative and display responsive behaviors at work, including avoiding absenteeism and demonstrating promptness.
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