Which Soft Skills? The Soft Skills Critical for Youth Success in a Changing World

• In Event: Equipping Diverse Youth to Thrive: New Insights on Skills Development, Inclusion, and Measurement

Proposal

Soft skills are known to contribute to positive outcomes for youth in diverse areas, from workforce to education and within communities. The discourse on which soft skills are the most essential for youth is ever-evolving, as the population of youth around the world increases and young people navigate rapid changes in technology, climate, and rising economic and social disparities. The necessity for soft skill development in the midst of this reality is undeniable, yet requires a focus on the future needs of youth to empower them to drive lasting social and economic change that benefits themselves and others.

IREX’s Youth Essential Skills (YES) Toolkit prepares young people for the opportunities and challenges of the future by developing their crucial soft skills and preparing them to become adaptable learners in a time of rapid change. The 11 research-backed essential skills honed by this toolkit, including communication and adaptability, have been proven to contribute to workforce and entrepreneurial success, civic participation, socio-emotional resilience, and youth leadership. With a focus on the future holistic needs of youth, the YES Toolkit is consistently iterated based on anticipated future challenges.

As youth globally face the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic they need to successfully adapt to the changing nature of work, making the skill of “Learning to Learn” especially critical. This skill enables youth to harness a "growth mindset," learn independently, and adapt to change. The YES Toolkit encompasses exercises and tools for youth to strengthen this skill, as well as a skills assessment that measures their acquisition of the skill.

Implemented in 18 countries and three regions—the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the United States—the YES Toolkit has demonstrated results in improving youth soft skills. Assessing the needs of youth in the current and future workforce, the need for the Learning to Learn skill in particular is critical for preparing youth for both in-person and online work. In a recent training for Kenyan youth that prepared them for online work opportunities, youth skill acquisition in Learning to Learn increased by 79%. In an in-person and fast-changing start-up in Nigeria, 75% of trainees utilized the Learning to Learn skill to adapt to new work requirements by developing and applying new skills – 80% reported improved performance.

As the world faces the fourth industrial revolution, characterized by rapid technological advancement and unanticipated challenges such as COVID-19, focusing on the right soft skills for youth and evaluating their impact is important for enabling youth to shape their own lives. By prioritizing soft skills development with a focus on the future, as embodied in the Learning to Learn skill, youth will be equipped to navigate and thrive amidst complex change.

Author

• Emily Miller, IREX