Community Employment Resource Centre

Employability Skills

Gone are the days of people working in one job for one employer. It’s no secret how technology has changed the way in which people are employed. An increase in part-time and temporary opportunities has been countered with a decline in permanent full-time positions.

While change in job search techniques and employment opportunities is constant, the core or basic skills common to all types of employment remain consistent. These critical skills have been termed Employability Skills as identified by the Conference Board of Canada. These are generic skills (important to any job), attitudes and behaviours that employers seek in new recruits and, in fact, form the foundation of a high-quality Canadian workforce for both today and tomorrow.

This said it is the prospective employee’s challenge to communicate that they know what skills they have developed and to be able to clearly explain what they are capable of doing.

Employability skills are divided into 3 main categories: Academic (Fundamental), Personal Management and Teamwork. More specifically:

Academic (Fundamental):

• Communication
• Manage Information (including use of equipment and basic computer ability)
• Numeracy
• Think and Solve Problems (including Decision Making)

Personal Management:

• Demonstration of Positive Attitudes and Behaviours
• Responsibility
• Adaptability/Flexibility
• Continuous Learning
• Work Safety

Teamwork:

• Ability to Work with Others/ Interpersonal Skills (including Enthusiasm and Motivation)
• Participation in Projects and Tasks (including Organizational Skills)

An excellent way to demonstrate development of these critical skills is through an employability portfolio. Portfolios provide a summary of proof of skills and abilities and contain a variety of documents such as:

• Skill statements
• Resume
• Testimonials
• Work Samples
• Photographs
• Documentation of Volunteer Work
• Certificates
• Printouts
• Reference Letters
• Evaluations

It is important though, to understand that the development of a portfolio is a continuous “process”. There will be a need for constant revisions and updating with samples of employability skills. This process has another advantage – a better understanding of strengths and area for improvement.

How to Develop a Portfolio:

Below is an outline that can be followed in compiling an Employability Portfolio.

1. Reflection: Think about YOU – interests, abilities, likes/dislikes (referring to the Employability Skills List)
2. Gather Proof: Collect best work demonstrating the employability skills and relating to specific job requirements
3. Organization: Consider judgements passed when others proof portfolio
4. Develop Skills Statements: Describe skills and how they were acquired
5. Prepare Resume
6. Test and Revise: Ask others for feedback

A portfolio should constantly change because people are constantly developing and improving their employability skills.