Workplace EXPECTATIONS Tools for success in the 21st Century Workplace.

Students can provide their interpretation of listed skills Students can provide their interpretation of listed skills. How do these concepts apply to students? How do they translate to the workplace? Are most of these technical skills or personality traits?

Workplace Skills Technology employers desire a well-educated workforce, and technology roles require a broad range of academic skills. But academic skills are just one component of a competent professional. Discuss perceived academic and workplace skills, and their relationships to pathways outlined in 1.01.

Workplace skills The 21st century has brought challenges to both employers and job-seekers. Employers in many areas have expressed concerns about the lack of qualified candidates to fill job vacancies and newly created roles, yet unemployment remains as a major economic concern. Employers need candidates with strong literacy and technical skills. Many of the skills that are in demand are the same as those required to be good student.

Workplace skills Literacy Technologists are frequently required to read and write documentation related to their field. Reading comprehension skills are a key to job performance. Technical documentation can be extensive, so the ability to extract pertinent and useful information creates employment value. Activities Have students read documentation on PC memory installation. Demonstrate the process. Have students read documentation about creation of user accounts in Windows. Summarize the instructions, and use the summary to create accounts on a Windows computer. Find an example of poorly written instructions or technical documentation and discuss the errors. Try to rewrite.

Workplace Skills Literacy Technical writing is a widely used skill. The audience for technical documentation can range from the well-informed technologist to a lay-person with little technical skill. Being able to write clearly and accurately using appropriate language to address the audience is a skill that can separate an employee from the pack. Activities: Have students attempt to write clear, complete instructions for simple tasks. Examples items are Making a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich Installing paper in a printer Turning on a computer and logging in to Windows Instructions should be created for a target audience that has NO knowledge of the task, so instructions must be very detailed. Choose several and demonstrate results of following the instructions as written. This can be a fun exercise, but it should still highlight the need for concise, accurate writing.

Workplace skills Grammar and Presentation Presentations before small groups are a regular occurrence in many jobs, and technology jobs are no exception. Professionals in the IT field have to prepare presentations to sell products or sell an idea on a regular basis. Have students do a presentation on how to transfer a music file (mp3, AAC, etc.) to a portable music device. The presentation should be done using appropriate terminology. The goal should be to make students aware of how slang and common vernacular permeates everyday conversations but should be avoided when speaking to an unfamiliar audience.

Workplace skills Grammar and Presentation Technology professionals need to be just that; professional! Speaking clearly and concisely while using appropriate grammar makes a big impression. It’s important to understand the technical material being presented, but it’s not enough.

Workplace skills Grammar and Presentation Workplace language should be based on professional behavior. Leave the slang at home.

Workplace skills CRITICAL THINKING Employers love problem solvers. It’s important to develop a systematic approach to solving problems. Every problem may have a different solution, but the method for solving any problem is consistent.

Workplace Skills Math Many people associate math skills with engineers, architects, and scientific roles, and math skills are used by many people in technology roles. However, employers need math skills in all roles!

Workplace Skills Math Basic math skills are important in all jobs, but many technology jobs require advanced math skills. Want to study a technical field in college? You need Algebra, Geometry, and higher level math to be accepted in to college and to excel.

Workplace Skills Math Strong math skills translate to good problem solving skills.

Workplace skills Certifications Industry Certifications are a great way to get an initial interview with an IT company. Industry certifications indicate at least a basic understanding of associated technical skills. Many NC CTE classes can prepare students for certification exams. Discuss different industry certifications and the pathway to achieve the certifications. A+ certification - Hardware / PC Support RedHat and Microsoft Certifications – System Administration, Office tools, etc. Cisco Certifications – Network Administration and security MTA certifications – Programming and Software Development/ HTML 5/Mobile applications CIW – Certified Internet Webmaster

Workplace skills ADDITIONAL SKILLS We have a global economy today. While the United States may still be the largest economy worldwide, we no longer are dominant. Being bilingual/multilingual is a great asset to most employers. It’s important to point out that the US has many trade partners, and those partners made English a priority as part of a trade growth plan. Many US companies do business in other parts of the world, and communication is a key to success for those companies.

Workplace skills ADDITIONAL SKILLS Many employers desire strong technical skills, but also desire so-called “soft skills.” These are skills that may transform an employee to a team member.

Workplace skills Soft SKILLS Soft skills are really better characterized as personality traits. The qualities that make good students are the same as those that make great workplace team players and problem solvers. It might be important to point out that frequently we choose our friends based on soft skills, and sometimes we eliminate friends using the same criteria. Employers do the same.

Workplace skills Soft SKILLS Employers want Self starters; motivated individuals Goal-oriented team members Flexible personalities Ethical, honest partners Discuss each of these characteristics and what they mean in a work environment.

21st Century Employment Previous generations had a different employment and career landscape. Our grandparents frequently would go to work for a company, work 30 years or more, and retire. That is rare today. Technical skills change more rapidly and people are more mobile.

21st Century Employment The scenario for lasting employment may have changed, but the foundations for effective employment haven’t. The biggest difference is that now, more than ever, we have to be “life-long learners” to adapt to changing employment opportunities.