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.
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