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Employability Skills

Indiana’s Employability Skills Benchmarks describe a set of workplace skills recommended for success in today’s competitive workforce. Formerly referred to as "soft skills," these are identified as essential, in-demand skills for all jobseekers regardless of experience or occupation. The term "soft skills" may give the appearance that these skills are of less value, but in fact they are crucial to finding employment and succeeding in the workforce. Indiana’s Employability Skills Benchmarks were vetted statewide by Hoosier employers and establish a common language across all Indiana workforce sectors.

The skills identified by Indiana employers as essential for success in the workplace fall into four categories:

  1. Mindsets
  2. Learning Strategies
  3. Social & Emotional Skills
  4. Work Ethic

Hoosier jobseekers, students, parents and school counselors can review the document below for a complete listing of employability skills definitions in detail.

To request posters, please send an email to marketing@dwd.in.gov that contains the quantity and shipping address.

Employability Skills Poster

Credits

In 2018, SB 297 states: It provides that, not later than July 1, 2019, each school within a school corporation shall include interdisciplinary employability skills standards established by the Department of Education (DOE), in conjunction with the DWD and approved by the State Board of Education, in the school's curriculum. (Click here to read the full bill.)

Employability Skills were identified through focus groups with Hoosier employers and utilized a framework founded on:

  • American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Mindsets & Behaviors
  • National Network of Business and Industry Associations
  • US DOE Employability Skills Framework
  • ACT’s WIN Career Readiness Program
  • Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Competencies
  • Center for Employability Outcomes Workplace Essentials
  • Adult Education College and Career Readiness Standards

Equal Opportunity is the Law. (La Igualdad De Oportunidad Es La Ley.)
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.