Business Notes: Work Based Learning - Employability

Global businesses are increasingly seeking graduates who have a global awareness and have studied or worked overseas as part of their learning. For UK graduates this means many/most are missing out due as they are less likely than international students to do this.

We currently live in:

• Knowledge based economies
• Competitive global markets

Therefore it is important to 'be a sponge' and take everything on board.

What is employability?

Employability belongs to you and it is your property. It isn't the same as getting employed or being employed. It is how an individual grasps the opportunities that are before them, it is also how someone reflect on their experiences. As well as how someone packages and presents the skills they have.

Employability is the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will support their future development.

There are three skills that make you employable, these are:

• Fundamental Skills
• Personal Skills
• Team Skills

Fundamental Skills include:

• Communication
• Managing Information
• Numerical Skills
• Problem Solving

Personal Skills include:

• Positive attitude and behaviours
• Taking Responsibility
• Adaptability
• Continuous Learning - 'Be a sponge'

Team Skills include:

• Being able to work with others
• Cooperation
• Leadership

The 10 most important skills that employers look for are said to be (in order of importance):

1. Communication Skills
2. Team Working Skills
3. Integrity
4. Intellectual Ability
5. Confidence
6. Character/ Personality
7. Planning & Organisational Skills
8. Literacy
9. Numeracy
10. Analysis & Decision Making Skills

Innovation skills are also very important when it comes to employability this is because: creativity skills tend to generate ideas which help businesses greatly in terms of remaining competitive; risk taking skills shows a person is entrepreneurial; relationship building skills this shows a person is good at networking and communication; and also implementation skills this shows someone has the skills to turn ideas into products.

Some people may ask is this all expected of someone who is taking their first job? The answer is yes they can or at least someone who is willing to be like this/ grow into it.

How does someone develop their employability?

The development of one's employability attributes and most importantly mapping examples to the list typically sought by employees. Alongside the development of one's self promotional skills and also have a willingness to reflect and learn.

- Esjae