Why Workplace Skills Training for Everyone
Titta Usry-Bland, July 2014 Adults, youth and even some staff question “Why does one need to sit in a 'soft skills/job readiness' training for 2 weeks? It seems like a waste of time if we already have work experience.” This class just completed 2 weeks of Workplace Skills training prior to starting their Continuing Education courses for certifications. They were skeptical prior to starting the class but in the end, they all agreed that it is a much needed course while searching for employment. They’ve learned skills that they will continue to use in the classroom in occupational skills and then on to worksites and employment. This class was a very diverse group ranging from the Baby Boom Generation to Generation Y, Z and from work experienced adults to the young who have yet to experience the workforce. Let’s face it, we can help individuals earn recognized credentials, associates and bachelor’s degrees, but without the necessary “workplace skills and tools” how will the individuals seek, gain and retain employment? What many employers look for in hiring candidates is strong “workplace/soft skills.” This is not your typical lecture on how to dress and be professional, the students interact with each other (along with instructor’s support) on behaviors, skills and experiences and learn how to compromise and work together through these generational differences. Granted, soft skills are not taught, they are introduced, practiced and reinforced. Communication is now different. The days of rotary dial phones and party lines are long gone and are being replaced with facebook, chat rooms and other means of social networking. Walking into a business to pick up a paper application is being replaced with walking into career centers and filling out an application online. Writing and penmanship skills are becoming lost with keyboarding and cellphone “texting” skills. OMG! Why can’t you just say or spell out “Oh my goodness.” Oh wait, can Gen Y spell it out? O mi gudness - Seriously! LOL! Oh yes, Gen Y&Z has a totally new universal “texting” language and unless you stay TU or Turned Up, Gen Baby Boom will not have a clue as to how they are communicating. Do you even understand what I just said? Exactly! Appearance is presumed to be very professional and conservative when applying and interviewing for employment. Now we have hair styles of red, blue and purple. We’ve come from one piercing in each ear to multiple piercings all over the face and body, not to mentioned permanent tattoos everywhere. Sorry, but this advanced technology and free spirited age is here. We either have to keep up to be competitive in the workforce, or tone it down a little conservatively or find that happy medium to where everyone can work as a team, no matter your age, race, origin, disability or experience. Let’s use conflict resolution options that do not lead to violence. To be successful in the workforce you cannot lose skills in respect, attitude, networking, time management (and yes we are living in an instant-want-it-right-now age), face-to-face contact and teamwork. Gen Baby Boom and older, I’m sorry but yes you should learn basic keyboarding and computer skills if you want apply to become a part of the workforce by now creating electronic resumes, business letters and communicate by email. So as I step off my soap box, I want to say one more thing. Traditional methods of seeking and retaining employment are rapidly changing and so should your resume. You may already have the skills and have a resume created, but there is always room for improvements, new skills learned and transferrable skills to add. Taking Workplace Skills training such as this won’t hurt you or downgrade you; it can only make you stronger and even more competitive for employment. |
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