Young Job Seekers - Employability Skills
by Christina Doratis, AACC Member
If you’re a young person this is a good time to be looking for work. The job market is vibrant. Unemployment is at the lowest it has been for over 20 years. There are skills shortages in a number of industries, including many of the traditional trade areas. Service industries are growing and people are being encouraged to set up their own small business.
These days most high schools provide career programmes and specialist staff to help students decide on a career direction, get relevant work experience, gain school-based traineeships and apprenticeships and combine vocational training with traditional school subjects. Even though the school leaving age has been extended, Senior Education and Training (SET), planning helps each student map out a plan for their future.
Young people are staying at home longer and with the support of family and parents they can stay in education and training for longer, to get the qualifications and experience that are essential in the new world of work. Lifelong learning is a part of each and every worker’s responsibility.
Most young people in the senior years of schooling have part-time paid jobs and are gaining much-needed experience in the world of work. The skills they gain are often transferable, like customer service or teamwork, and can be carried from one industry to another. Many employers report that they like employees who are flexible, who have travelled and who have a wide range of work experience.
Suggested Action: As you read each of the employability skills listed below, think about how you would be able to demonstrate these skills to an employer. Think of an actual example of an action you can take to tell an employer you can do this. For example, I am very comfortable using computers and am familiar with all the commonly used programmes in Microsoft Office such as Word, Outlook and Excel. If you are not able to currently demonstrate and give examples of each skill, work out a plan to develop skills in this area.
1. Communication
The first thing employers want is for their employees to be able to communicate well with their colleagues and customers – speak clearly, provide information, listen and carry out verbal instructions and read and understand basic documents.
2. Teamwork
Secondly it’s important that you can work with others, contribute to a team approach and understand the differences that may exist between you and other people.
3. Problem solving
As a modern worker you have to be able to work things out for yourself a lot of the time. You also have to take responsibility for your own behaviour and for the safety of others.
4. Initiative and Enterprise
Employers don’t want people standing around waiting to be told what to do. You need to be able to think for yourself, to adjust work procedures and take action where necessary.
5. Planning and Organising
As a worker you need to be organised and to plan your work activities according to priorities and timeframes.
6. Self-Management
This is about you working individually and with others to ensure that your work tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. You can’t always rely on others to manage you.
7. Ability to Learn
It is essential to keep updating your knowledge and skills and to adapt to workplace changes.
8. Use of Technology
Every worker must have a basic understanding of computers and especially of the tools and equipment that they use in their job.