Kuttiyama of Kerala decided that she should be able to write her own name and address at the age of 104. As luck would have it, soon her paths crossed with a literacy trainer and Kuttiyama ended up scoring a sky-high of 89% in literacy in Kerala state primary literacy exam. She proved that if one wants to learn a skill, it’s never too late to start.
Workplaces in the 21st century have seen considerable changes. It is like a canvas with strokes of multiple colors depicting diversity in representations, ideas and skills. Workplaces have grown to be more diverse and welcoming, have incorporated technology to a great extent, and have become more employee-centric. In this adapting workplace environment, one thing remains constant– the need to develop employability skills.
Employability is not based on only Credentials
Having a good resume is the first step towards landing the desired job but what people must understand is that being selected for one is more than one’s credentials. The employability of a person is not defined solely by job higher education degrees.
Employers seek individuals who have the potential to adapt to the existing workplace and contribute to making it a better place. Lack of these skills has debilitating effects on the workplace environment. Hence, core skills are indispensable to acquire in the 21st century.
Core Skills Strengthen the Foundation of an Organisation
The biggest asset of any organization is its people. Their skills, ability to smoothly perform tasks, knowledge, and experience shape an organisation. Employers seek employees who will make this possible. Hence, an individual with core skills stands out as a prospective employee for a productive workforce.
A few important skills that individuals and job seekers should focus on developing are as follows –
- Communication Skills
Communication, both verbal and written, is a vital tool for social integration. Being able to relay ideas, strategies and approaches in meetings is crucial for the smooth functioning of a workplace. The development of communication skills is of high importance for cohesive work since effective communication bridges the age, gender, cultural, or religious gaps between stakeholders promoting diversity and respect.
- Leadership Skills
Middle and higher management executives are required to manage large groups of employees in a way that grants maximum productivity and profits. These skills are as important for every employee including those seeking leadership roles. Managers may divide their teams and assign employees leadership roles. It is imperative to inculcate a sense of ownership, responsibility and accountability for the development of effective leadership skills.
- Computer and Tech Skills
The digital revolution and the covid-19 pandemic proved to be catalysts in the reach of technology in everyday life. Applications like MS Teams and Zoom boosted considerably during and post-pandemic. Meetings and conferences are majorly held over these applications now. Combining communication skills with technological skills allows employees to effectively manage and communicate meetings online. In addition to this, acquiring basic computing skills and being adept at applications of MS Office, and database software can considerably increase the employability chances of an individual.
- Management Skills
Communication, leadership, and management skills are the three elements that ensure that the best talent manages tasks without many conflicts. One of the most critical skills in a workplace is the ability to manage people effectively, readiness to listen to criticism and clear queries, planning, and taking decisions.
- Socio-emotional Skills
Social integration is of high importance in the workplace. The ability to be sociable and make good relationships with coworkers go a long way for an individual. Good social skills complement one’s ability to connect with people.
- Time management Skills
The ability to manage tight deadlines and multiple assignments at a time is indispensable for the growth of an organisation. Dividing work for oneself to achieve maximum productivity is a skill individuals should develop.
Smile Foundation and Core Skills
Smile Foundation’s lifecycle approach concerns itself with the provision of livelihood opportunities for underserved youth. Through its livelihood initiative, STeP (Smile Twin e-Learning Programme) among its many training courses, it also provides core employability training that has resulted in hundreds of trained students getting placed in thriving businesses across the country.
Job Through Core Empoyabilty Training Course
Tajamul Ali is pursuing an online PG Diploma course in Sustainable Rural Development. Based out of Delhi, he has a dream to go back to his native, Kashmir and become part of its development story. Belonging to Wazaa– a family of cooks, cooking isn’t something that soarked his imagination. One thing led to another and his journey landed him in Delhi. Currenly, Tajamul is working as a Sales Representative in New Delhi with Zara, a multi-national retail clothing chain making a monthly earning of Rs 24,000.
Employment opportunities at his native, Kashmir doesn’t present themselves with many viable options. It was during one of his long walks that he thoroughly enjoys that he decided to come to Delhi to give his life a different direction. As destiny and determination would have it, he came across a pamphlet of STeP and without wasting any time, got himself enrolled into our core employability training course.
After 3 months of regular classes on core skills and a few interviews later, through our placement cell, he found himself in a position to send money back home. Fihgitng loneliness, he quotes the philosopher, Aristotle, “Man is by nature a social animal. Nights gets especially hard in a city like Delhi since I am a mountain person used to clean air and company of family. But to reach somewhere, for sometime, we have to leave something else behind. I hope these sacrifices make complete sense one day and I go back to Kashmir to serve my people there. Till then, this job and this life is my gateway to freedom and security.”