Penny Strutton: How to give our young people “soft” skills

Looking at research, it’s not just the UK that is struggling with developing soft skills amongst its young people. Countries including the US, South Africa and beyond are complaining that people are emerging from education without the ability to communicate, manage their time or work in a team environment. Fingers are being pointed at the various education systems to resolve the problem, but what as parents can we do from the home front?

So what are these skills that are so lacking in young people?

  1. Communication: the ability to listen, speak and write in a manner which can be understood and with a sense of enthusiasm.
  2. Interpersonal skills: communication does fall into this however it goes further to include empathy, body language, ability to negotiate and find mutually agreeable outcomes, problem solving, decision making and assertiveness
  3. Planning & organisational skills: the ability to think ahead and organise workload
  4. Team working: using those interpersonal skills working alongside others to get the job done
  5. Investigative & research skills: using initiative to research and find out key information
  6.  Multicultural sensitivity and awareness: understanding of others needs
  7. Professionalism: being presentable and well groomed, demonstrating self-respect and respect for others

Helping young people become more confident and content in their own ability is central to developing these soft skills. In a world where so much communication is done via electronic devices it’s not surprising that young people are failing to develop the full spectrum of skills due to basic lack of practice!

As a parent or carer, you may find the following 5 areas helpful in developing soft skills and confidence in young people and preparing them for the world of work.

  1. Communication: encourage young people to step outside their comfort zone. Encourage them to do the talking, whether it’s in a restaurant placing an order or when seeing the doctor. Give them the confidence to take the lead in conversation with adults.
  2. Decision Making: Give your children some personal responsibility in making decisions, let them experience the consequences good and bad
  3. Get involved at home: encourage young people to get involved in the planning and execution of certain activities, for example planning for the meals over the week, helping with the shopping, cleaning or care of a younger sibling
  4. Take responsibility & pride: getting a taste for work early on will boost confidence and responsibility. Taking on a paper round, offering to wash neighbours cars, or mow their lawn can help grow soft skills not to mention personal belief.
  5. Team work: Being part of a team will have endless benefits. There are a number of after school activities that suit a variety of interest which can be accessed at low or no cost.

Soft skills develop in the home; if you can encourage your children to positively step out of their comfort zone and praise their efforts, they will inevitably become more confident and be more successful when entering the world of work. Good luck!