How has the
workplace
changed over
the last 50
years?
• Technology
• Production moving toward
team approach
• Move toward multi skilled
workers (able to do various
parts of the process instead of
only one)
• Increased investment in
employees (looking for
“trainable” employees)
• Baby boom generation leaving
workforce
• Generation Y (born between
1978 – 1999) moving in
Current reality in the workplace…
new employees are not measuring up
“The future U.S. workforce is here – and it is woefully illprepared for the demands of today’s (and tomorrow’s)
workplace. “
“When asked to assess new workforce entrants,
employers report that many of the new entrants
lack skills essential to job success.”
“Employers expect young people to arrive in the workplace with a set of
basic and applied skills, and the Workforce Readiness Report Card
makes clear that the reality is not matching expectations.”
•
•
From “Are They Really Ready to Work? Employers’ Perspectives on New Entrants to the
Workforce”
Detailed survey of 431 human resources officials, conducted in 2006
What are
these
missing
skills?
In Summary:
Here is the foundation…
Basic Skills
Thinking Skills
Personal Qualities
-reading, writing,
math, speaking,
listening
-problem solving,
knowing how to
learn, decision
making
- responsibility,
self-management,
integrity
Competencies (SCANS):
Resources
Interpersonal
Skills
Information
Systems
Technology
Allocating time,
money,
materials,
space and staff
Working on
teams,
teaching,
serving
customers,
leading,
negotiating,
working with
people from
diverse
backgrounds
Acquiring and
evaluating data,
organizing and
maintaining
files,
interpreting and
communicating,
using computers
to process
information
Understanding
social,
organizational
& technological
systems,
monitoring and
correcting
performance,
designing and
improving
systems
Selecting
equipment and
tools, applying
technology to
specific tasks
and
maintaining
and troubleshooting
technologies
It’s what we
“sell”
Students attach more
significance to learning that
seems to directly relate to
their success on the job
Area
businesses are
keeping track
Good news!!
= Intentionality
Don’t: revamp everything
Do: Draw attention to job
readiness skills you use in your
classroom
Do: Take teachable moments
Do: Increase awareness of what
employers are looking for in a
candidate
A few ideas…
Require group
work/discussion
Encourage peer revision
Address
inappropriate
email or weak
handshake
A Chance to Reflect:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuNJTeIN79Y
(social studies lesson)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GsN5uwLEww
(math lesson)
Use the checklist to mark
which job readiness skills
the teacher is addressing in
class.
What does this mean for you?
What skills will you make efforts to either
highlight or begin using in your classes?