Employability Skills. Curtin Careers Centre Curtin University of Technology Ph:

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1 Curtin Careers Centre Curtin University of Technology Ph: Employability Skills Information contained herein is the property of Curtin Careers Centre and cannot be reproduced without permission of the Centre.

2 Employability Skills are defined as "skills required not only to gain employment, but also to progress within an enterprise so as to achieve one's potential and contribute successfully to enterprise strategic directions" (DEST, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Business Council of Australia (2002) Employability Skills for the future). Employability skills are also sometimes referred to as generic skills, capabilities or key competencies. Personal attributes contribute to overall employability. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations list the following personal attributes that underpin employability: Loyalty, Commitment Honesty and Integrity Enthusiasm Reliability Personal Presentation Common Sense Positive Self Esteem A sense of humour A balance attitude to work and home life An ability to deal with pressure Motivation Adaptability Below is the Employability Skills Framework that provides an extended explanation of why that skill is essential for both personal career development and productivity for the employer as well as the individual facets within that skill set. It is important to note that the priority of these facets will vary for each job and industry area.

3 Skill Communication to productive and harmonious relations across employees and customers. Team work to productive working relationships and outcomes. Problem solving that contributes to productive outcomes Element (facets of the skill that employers identified as important noting that the mix and priority of these facets would vary from job to job). Listening and understanding Speaking clearly and directly Writing to the needs of the audience Negotiating responsively Speaking and writing in languages other than English Using numeracy Understanding the needs of internal and external customers Establishing and using networks Being assertive. Sharing information Working across different and irrespective of gender, race, religion or political persuasion Working as an individual and as a member of a team Knowing how to define a role as part of a team Applying team work to a range of situations eg futures planning, crisis problem solving Developing creative, innovative solutions Developing practical solutions Showing independence and initiative in identifying problems and solving them Solving problems in teams Applying a range of strategies to problem solving Using mathematics including budgeting and financial management to solve problems Applying problem solving strategies across a range of areas Testing assumptions taking the context of data circumstances into account Resolving customer concerns in relation to complex projects issues. Self Management Having a personal vision and goals

4 to employee satisfaction and growth Planning and Organising to long and short term strategic planning Technology that contribute to ongoing improvement and expansion in employee and company operations and outcomes Learning to ongoing improvement and expansion in employee and Evaluating and monitoring own performance Having knowledge and confidence in own ideas and visions Articulating own ideas and visions Taking responsibilities Managing time and priorities selling time lines, coordinating tasks for self and with others Being resourceful Taking initiative and making decisions Adapting resources allocations to cope with contingencies Establishing clear project goals and deliverables Allocating people and other resources including time management Participants in continuous improvement and planning processes Developing a vision and a proactive plan to accompany it. Predicting weighing up risk, evaluate alternatives and apply evaluation criteria Collecting, analysing and organising information Understanding basic business system and their relationships Having own learning Applying IT as a management tool Using IT to organise data Being willing to learn new IT skills Having the OHS knowledge to apply technology Having the physical capacity to apply technology eg manual dexterity Managing own learning Contributing to the community at the workplace Using a range of mediums to learn mentoring, peer support and networking. IT courses Applying learning to technical issues (eg learning about products) and people issues (eg interpersonal and cultural aspects of work)

5 company operations and outcomes Initiative and enterprise to innovation outcomes. Having enthusiasm for ongoing learning Being willing to learn in any setting on and off work Being open to new ideas and techniques Being prepared to invest time and effort in learning new skills. Acknowledging the need to learn in order to accommodate change. Adapting to new situations Developing a strategic, creative, long term vision Being creative Identifying opportunities not obvious to others Translating ideas into actions Generating a range of options Initialising innovative solutions Source: DEST, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Business Council of Australia (2002) Employability Skills for the future

6 Throughout your studies at Curtin you have also developed many transferable skills. As a graduate you should be able to demonstrate the following skills and abilities as applied to your industry or learning area. Curtin's course learning outcomes Generic descriptions 1. Apply discipline knowledge, principles and concepts Apply discipline knowledge, understand its theoretical underpinnings, and ways of thinking; Extend the boundaries of knowledge through research. 2. Think critically, creatively and reflectively Apply logical and rational processes to analyse the components of an issue; Think creatively to generate innovative solutions. 3. Access, evaluate and synthesise information Decide what information is needed and where it might be found using appropriate technologies; Make valid judgements and synthesise information from a range of sources. 4. Communicate effectively Communicate in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose. 5. Use technologies appropriately Use appropriate technologies recognising their advantages and limitations.

7 6. Utilise lifelong learning skills Use a range of learning strategies; Take responsibility for one's own learning and development; Sustain intellectual curiosity; know how to continue to learn as a graduate. 7. Recognise and apply international perspectives Think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives; Apply international standards and practices within a discipline or professional area. 8. Demonstrate cultural awareness and understanding Respect individual human rights; Recognise the importance of cultural diversity particularly the perspective of Indigenous Australians; Value diversity of language. 9. Applying professional skills Work independently and in teams; Demonstrate leadership, professional behaviour and ethical practices. Source: Office of Teaching and Learning, Curtin University of Technology

8 How can I use employability skills to assist me with gaining employment? Employability skills are not only developed from your studies or education. It is all of your work/life roles that continue to develop your employability. As a student there are many opportunities, in addition to your studies, to develop your employability skills and hence making you a more competitive candidate for a position. Volunteer work, Community work, Work experience, Part time employment and Extra curricular involvement are all opportunities and experiences for you to develop your employability skills. These experiences provide you with actual examples of how you have previously shown and demonstrated your competency in this area and hence would be suitable to meet the position requirements. If a job application asks for to Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing you should reflect on how in previous work/life roles you have showcased relevant facets of your Communication skills. This may include communicating with clients whose speak English as a second language, information sharing, writing to the needs of the audience and understanding the needs of internal and external customers. Exploring your Skills Exercise Exercise 1: Exploring your skills Role/Occupation Task/Activities Skills List all the roles you have through study, work and extracurricular List all the responsibilities you have under each of these occupations and roles. Be very specific in detail List the skills applied and developed. Refer to the employability skills for assistance