Key+Employability+Skills

Contemporary challenges in business environments, such as globalisation and advances in information and communication technologies, have change the nature of work. This means that we have to be more adaptable and more able to work effectively in diverse environments and situations. Employability in the 21st century is no longer just about knowledge or professional and technical skills.

Employability is the ability to successfully transfer essential job skills from one position to another. This ability is also referred to as 'business skills', 'transferable skills', 'generic skills' and 'soft skills'. Employers are now looking for people with transferable employability skills as these are now considered to be more important than academic qualifications and technical skills. 

Employers expect employees to continually adapt and upgrade themselves through transferable skills which can be applied in different settings. Transferable employability skills relate to a group of skills required by employers to help achieve goals. Interestingly, these same skills are required to achieve personal goals and aspirations. We develop these skills throughout our lives and they are shaped by our experiences and our environment. In contrast to cognitive abilities (IQ), transferable skills can be improved through life experiences. Hay (2001) states "transferable skills are those skills, abilities and personal attributes which you can use in a wide range of activities, both in and out of employment, and that are not specific to the subject you studied".

What are Employability Skills?
Employability Skills are skills that apply across a variety of jobs and life contexts. They are sometimes referred to as key skills, core skills, life skills, essential skills, key competencies, necessary skills, and transferable skills. Industry's preferred term is Employability Skills. Business and industry require a broad range of skills in their employees. Eight employability skills have been identified by governments all over the world. These are: (DEST 2010) Hay, I. (2001). // Transferable skills and their importance //. Retrieved April 19, 2008, from []
 * Communication
 * Teamwork
 * Problem solving
 * Initiative and enterprise
 * Planning and organising
 * Self-management
 * Learning
 * Technology

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