What are soft skills and why are they important?
Having the ability to effectively communicate, collaborate, and solve problems is essential in life and your career... That’s where soft skills come in!
What are soft skills?
Soft skills are personal behaviours and skills that help you interact and work well with others. Soft skills are important in everyday life and in different job roles across different industries!
Some examples of soft skills are:
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Communication
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Teamwork
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Time management
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Problem-solving
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Confidence
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Leadership
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Adaptability
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Creativity
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Critical thinking
But why do soft skills matter?
You can be amazing at your job with all the skills and knowledge you need, but without the ability to communicate, collaborate, and solve problems, you'll find it more difficult to succeed... That’s where soft skills come in!
There are so many benefits to developing your soft skills:
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Effectively collaborate and communicate with others
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Be able to manage your time efficiently
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Improve your working relationships
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Cope with challenges
How can The Learning Foundry help you develop your soft skills?
We know that learning from experienced people helps you develop your skills and knowledge quicker than learning in a regular classroom. That’s why by jumping straight into the workplace through our apprenticeships and training courses, you can effectively develop the skills that employers want.
You learn by doing, not just studying.
Our hands-on practical approach to learning allows you to gain the knowledge needed but more importantly, apply the skills you’ve learnt in real-world situations. Apprenticeships allow you to earn recognised qualifications whilst gaining practical experience and essential skills that put you ahead of the competition!
Communication and Teamwork
Being able to communicate clearly and work well as a team are the key to success, regardless of what industry or job role you’re in. As an apprentice, you will be working alongside colleagues, interacting with customers and learning how to express your ideas effectively.
Did you know that 72% of business leaders believe that effective communication has a positive impact on their team’s productivity. According to Stanford University, teams that work well together are 50% more productive.
Time Management
Being able to efficiently manage your work, training and deadlines is an important part of being an apprentice. It is your responsibility to stay organised, work independently and meet deadlines.
Those who practice effective time management techniques are 57% more successful at completing tasks promptly.
Problem-Solving
You may face challenges in daily life, as well as in the workplace. It is important to be able to take the initiative and find a solution to a problem, rather than waiting for someone else to solve it. Developing your problem-solving skills allows you to think on your feet and adapt to changing situations in the best way.
More than 60% of employers look for evidence of problem-solving skills when evaluating job candidates.
Confidence
Developing your confidence allows you to develop your resilience and ability to adapt to new situations. This will help you effectively handle challenges. It is important to have developed your confidence for your work environment, so that you can be pushed outside of your comfort zone, take on new responsibilities, express your ideas and solve problems independently.
Want to read more about soft skills?
Check out the links below for more information about soft skills, and how you can effectively develop them to succeed in your career:
Develop your soft skills | National Careers Service
Develop your soft skills
The Learning Foundry are here to help you take that first step into your dream job!
With us, you learn more than the essential skills you need to be a great Dental Nurse or Property Maintenance Operative, we help you build the soft skills that set you apart in your dream job!
Ready to start developing your soft skills with hands-on experience? Find out more about learning with us and the exciting courses available: https://www.thelearningfoundry.co.uk/learn-with-us