The U.S. developed the curriculum known as Skills to Pay the Bills. To aid in the instruction of soft skills and workforce readiness to adults and youth, the Department of Labor. This is a modular, practical curriculum with fun activities that emphasize six essential skill areas: communication, enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork, networking, problem-solving, critical thinking, and professionalism.
Table of Contents
What Are Soft and Hard Skills?
Soft skills are those skills that come naturally and uniquely to everyone. Leadership, clear communication, teamwork, time management, motivation, and adaptability are examples of soft skills. Hard skills, on the other hand, are those that are learned through training, education, or practical experience.
What Are the Soft Skills?
Six categories of soft skills are grouped together, and each category includes a variety of inventive, practical lesson activities that adhere to the UDL principles. The six soft skill categories include the following:
- Communication
- Enthusiasm and Attitude
- Teamwork
- Networking
- Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
- Professionalism
Additional materials, including information on social networking, additional resources, and comments from youth and facilitators who have used the modules. One of the teachers commented, “In my 25 years of working with students, I have never gotten this much enjoyment from teaching a course. . .The Soft Skills curriculum is an excellent teaching tool that can connect with ALL students, regardless of where they are in their learning process.”
Why Should You Take This Training Course?
- Enhance effective communication with coworkers and employers
- Develop leadership skills to improve efficiency and productivity
- Develop presentation skills to enhance self-confidence and relationships
- Increase creativity and collaborative outcomes through brainstorming and problem-solving strategies
What Are the Modules?
- Communication
- Learn when and how to communicate in a business setting
- Enthusiasm and Attitude
- Learn how to turn negative thinking into positive thinking
- Learn how to display and discuss enthusiasm during an interview and on the job
- Teamwork
- Know how to lead and follow and when it takes practice
- Know how essential career growth and advancement are to the company
- Networking
- Build and maintain informational relationships or exchange information that is supportive of the professional or career goals
- Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
- Ability to use knowledge, facts, and data to effectively solve workplace problems
- Know how to use these skills in a variety of settings
- Professionalism
- Focus on the five previous skills in a broader framework
- Teach the importance of knowing and using each skill for workplace success
What Are the Facts?
- Communication skills rank first among a job candidate’s “must-have” skills
- Employers promote employees who not only produce but motivate others in the workplace
- The ability to work as part of a team is one of the most important skills in today’s job market
- 80% of available jobs are not advertised. The jobs are often referred to as the “hidden job market”
- Employers want new workers to be responsible, ethical, and team-oriented and to possess strong interpersonal skills.
Conclusion
“Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success,” is a curriculum developed by ODEP focused on teaching “soft” or workforce readiness skills to youth, including youth with disabilities. The curriculum, which was developed for youth service professionals as an introduction to workplace interpersonal and professional skills, is aimed at young people aged 14 to 21 in both in-school and out-of-school settings.