SOLD ON THE RIGHT EMPLOYMENT SKILLS

JOBSEEKERS are pursuing innovative ways to demonstrate workplace skills such as communication, teamwork and critical thinking, amid a trend for employers to favour these attributes over technical competence.

Natasha Munasinghe, director of training organisation The Frank Team, says workplace skills increasingly are in demand among employers, who expect candidates to show real-life examples of their use.

“When you look at the research into what skills are going to be needed in 2020 and 2030, it’s these skills that you will need to have,’’ Munasinghe says.

“For example, we’re going to be spending 100 per cent more time on problem solving in 2030 than we are now and we’re going to spend 41 per cent more time on critical thinking and planning.

“Communication skills and how you get along with people, how you go about presenting your ideas, will also be much more important.

“They’re the areas students need ... to be building skills and expertise in and they’re having to learn how to create their own workplace experiences to get (those skills).’’

Fortunately, seeking out those experiences is not difficult but people need to better recognise when those skills are used, Munasinghe says.

“Say you’re an Uber driver or doing some kind of delivery – there are already so many things you are applying that you may not realise, like communication (with customers) and time management,’’ she says.

“People often downgrade those skills, or under-recognise them, because they’re not linked to what they’re studying or it’s not linked to working in an office.’’

Tertiary institutions increasingly are providing opportunities for students to demonstrate their ability to problem solve, such as through the University of NSW’s Maker Games. At a school level, events such as the Australasian Schools Auctioneering Championship also teach workplace skills.

Real Estate Institute spokesman Greg Troughton says not only does the competition provide a pathway into real estate but it develops key attributes for students to include on their future resume.

“(The competition) breeds confidence, it breeds the personal skills that employers are looking for and it also breeds the ability to think on your feet,’’ Troughton says.

“Those things will certainly hold them in good stead, whether they remain in real estate or decide to do something else.’’

Jake Tanner (pictured), 17, a finalist in last year’s championship, hopes to work in marketing after finishing

school and believes his involvement in the competition will place him at an advantage over other jobseekers.

“The competition was essentially about creating one giant presentation (to sell a property) – and that’s what marketing is all about,’’ he says.