We've spent a lot of time talking about the importance of teaching 21st Century skills, but there are still a few nay-sayers on staff who want to see a specific correlation between what we say we need to teach and what employers are looking for. I've used some U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, but I need more information. Where else should I look?
A report released last October may be just what you need. Developed by The Conference Board, in collaboration with Corporate Voices for Working Families, The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and The Society for Human Resource Management, this study includes a workforce readiness report card that summarizes the basic knowledge and applied skills that employers want to find in new hires. The report is called Are They Really Ready to Work? Employers' Perspectives on the Basic Knowledge and Applied Skills of New Entrants to the 21st Century Workforce. Visit the site to obtain a complimentary copy and share the information with your staff. I think it will help you address many of their concerns.
Submitted by: Susan Brooks-Young
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