People with great qualifications and years of experience still find it difficult to secure employment in a highly competitive job market. People are constantly up-skilling and developing their understanding of the skills employers look for in potential employees. So, what are employable skills? These are fundamental skills that allow a person to apply their knowledge, experience or specialty skills in the workplace. For example, consider a specialty profession such as a paramedic, if they can’t communicate effectively, work in a team or solve problems it becomes increasingly difficult to perform their job effectively. Therefore it’s critical to take a holistic and inclusive approach to recruitment and consider a person’s skills beyond the traditional requirements of a position. atWork Australia proudly deliver Inclusive Employment Australia and can support you to fine tune your employability skills.
Why are Employable Skills Important?
Every business has unique expertise and operating processes for the specific industries in which they operate, by employing people with a strong foundation of employable skills or soft skills, ensures the new team member can successfully transition into a new workplace and quickly develop the technical skills required to perform the role and immediately add value to the business. This is just one example of why it’s important to take an inclusive approach to recruitment, considering a person’s full range of skills and how their existing skills and experience can be transferred into new workplaces. Interested in taking an alternative approach to recruitment and unlocking talent you may have previously missed? Connect with atWork Australia and find out how Inclusive Employment Australia works.
5 Examples of Employable Skills Employers Value
If your new to employment services or you have been out of the workforce for an extended period of time you might be scratching your head wondering what are employable skills or what are 5 skills employers look for? Here are a few examples of employable skills, skills that we can all build upon to make ourselves more desirable to potential employers.
Communication Skills
In all industries, occupations and work environments, it is essential to have effective verbal and written communication skills. In some instances, to be fully inclusive alternative methods of communication are required. This may include the use of gestures, facial expressions, sign language or technology that supports text to speech/speech to text. Having strong communication skills allows you to gain a deeper understanding of tasks and how they need to be completed, improves collaboration and ensures a workplace can operate effectively, as everyone has a clear understanding of what is required.
Teamwork and Collaboration
The dynamics in the modern workplace can look different in every organisation. There could be a combination of people working on individual or group projects, people working remote, in the office or have hybrid working arrangements. We also need to consider the rich diversity that exists in our communities and workplaces and how this brings together people with different opinions, views and backgrounds. While these are all positive points that strengthen an organisation, employees need to be able to work effectively as a team in these diverse and flexible work environments, to be able to collaborate with colleagues from different backgrounds or those who work remote. Everyone brings unique skills and knowledge to the workplace and through effective teamwork and collaboration we can learn from our colleague’s knowledge and experience for our own self-improvement and to improve team outputs.
Problem-Solving and Adaptability
This is a skill that many people who live with disability, injury or health condition have been forced to adopt in their personal lives to manage everyday life. The good news is this is also a very sought after skill in the workplace. Everyone likes it when their plans fall perfectly into place, but in reality, the best plans must evolve and adapt when they encounter unpredicted roadblocks. When your faced with a problem, it’s a valuable skill to be able to analyse the situation with a clear mind, not make a panicked decision, rather make a calculated decision based on facts to solve the problem.
Reliability and Time Management
There is a common statement we often hear from business leaders, “an organisations greatest asset is their people.” An organisation can promote their fantastic products or industry leading services, but without the human resources to deliver these promises to customers, it’s hard to deliver. We have probably all heard a frustrated manager complain about a certain employee not showing up again, forcing them to adjust staffing arrangements, which ultimately starts a cycle of tasks being delayed and pushing out timelines. For a manager, knowing their team members are reliable, that their going to show up to work and effectively manage their time to complete their assigned tasks is simply a breath of fresh air and a massive weight off their shoulders. If you are preparing to enter the workplace for the first time, getting ready to start a new job or simply looking to leave a good impression in your current workplace, one thing you can do that doesn’t cost anything or require any further training…… be reliable, show up and do what you say you’re going to do.
Digital Literacy and Motivation
In the modern-day workplace, regardless of the occupation, there will be a need to have some digital skills. This could include operating a digital till to take payments, entering time sheets or using advanced technology to complete the duties of a job. If you are reading this and feeling concerned about how you will find a job with your current level of digital skills, don’t panic. Like any skill, practice makes perfect and atWork Australia can support you to develop your digital skills. Regardless of your starting point, if your motivated and have a hunger to learn, this is a good foundation to build from and shows potential employers your willingness to learn.
Employable Skills and Soft Skills in Disability Employment
For people living with disability, injury or health condition, their unique circumstances often force them to develop high levels of soft skills to help manage daily challenges, these are skills that can be directly transferred into employment. Due to a person’s unique circumstance and often years of experience navigating challenging situations, people living with disability can develop higher levels of resilience and are forced to be creative to solve problems to perform everyday tasks and participate in their community. While also having to refine and develop effective communication skills to advocate for themselves to overcome biases to seek out opportunities. These are just a few examples of the strengths people living with disabilities develop due to their barriers. These are also strengths that can add value to any workplace.
How Inclusive Employment Support Builds Employment Skills
atWork Australia proudly delivers Inclusive Employment Australia, supporting people living with disability, injury or health conditions to develop skills to find meaningful employment and a sustainable career. atWork Australia is focussed on tailoring their services to create an individualised approach to develop the skills each client needs to achieve their career goals. For a person to achieve their career goals, it takes more than just landing a job. atWork Australia works closely with employers to create safe and inclusive environments that supports continuous development and allows people to thrive throughout their employment journey. If your looking for tailored support, a provider who will be by your side at every step of the journey, connect with your closest atWork Australia office today.