Employability Skills Framework

Employability skills or soft skills are incredibly important to employers. In considering candidates for a job, employers value evidence of soft skills such as team work, communication and self-management alongside evidence of qualifications, work experience, literacy and numeracy, and IT skills. Developing employability skills help young people to be work ready, get a job and progress in a career.

The Employability Skills Framework identifies the soft skills or capabilities most desired in young people by New Zealand employers. It was developed in 2016 by a group of employer and tertiary and secondary education representatives and tested with students, educators and employers to support increased understanding across sectors about what is needed from employees in the workforce.

A version of this resource is available in Te Reo Māori

Positive attitude

Communication

Team work

Self-management

Willingness to learn

Thinking skills (problem solving and decision making)

Resilience