Soft Skills Learned in Career Training Programs
Soft Skills Employers Want from Career Training Graduates
In addition to the practical knowledge that career training graduates develop, these five soft skills also make them attractive to employers.
The Council of Economic Advisers is projecting faster-growing demand for workers with a two-year technical-college degree, or specific training, than for those with a full university degree. As Americans rethink the options for career training that will make them job ready for 21st century careers, they are taking a new look at vocational training.
Career training and vocational programs for adults not only focus on the specialized, hands-on skills employers want; they also focus on helping adults develop those soft skills and workplace behaviors that that will make them successful in the workplace.
Teamwork from projects and practical, hands-on classes
Career training focuses on teaching the skills necessary to hit the ground running in the job market. Teamwork and project management are often incorporated in classroom experiences and graduates from vocational programs should market these skills to employers.
Time Management
Career training programs can be an intense commitment of time to complete even a certificate program. Time management is definitely one of the soft skills employers look for with new hires and so completion of a career management program shows good ability to manage time, stay organized to complete goals.
Flexibility
Some career training and vocational training programs offer on-line, on-site or hybrid classes at different times to suit adult students who have to work around family commitments. Employers are impressed with vocational training graduates who show that they mastered the flexibility necessary to juggle life and finish a program.
Determination and Motivation
Completing a vocational program or a career training certificate shows the employer a student's level of determination and motivation to succeed. This is a characteristic that employers value and look for in new candidates. The hope is that graduates will bring this skill into the workplace as well.
Industry Knowledge through Buzz Words
Because career training programs are shorter than a bachelor's degree, graduates complete their career training program, often knowing the most current, specific industry "buzz" words and phrases. Graduates of career training programs who use these industry "buzz" words in a resume to demonstrate knowledge, will attract the attention of recruiters and hiring managers who are using these "buzz" words to screen resumes to find the right candidate.
More resources for career planning graduates:
Published by Marcia Robinson
Marcia has been writing about work, employment, careers, education, entrepreneurship and related political issues for thirteen years. She has a strong commitment to supporting the personal and professional... View profile
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8 Comments
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So true Patti
Many of those "soft skills" will stay with and help the students all their lives -- in their careers and personal lives -- while the technical knowledge quickly becomes outdated. Excellent article.
It's nice to see the soft skills getting some recognition since they are so important.
Thanks gor the comments friends. Harriet, lots of people are agreeing with you.
I always feel that career training is more valuable in getting a job than going to college and just taking a liberal arts major.
Nice.
Nice work.