We are in an era of rapid change and a high demand for competences and skills that will help individuals  and youth succeed in this fast changing world. 

USAID’s studies have found that evidence and practice support the theory that a common set of skills can lead to positive outcomes in multiple domains of youth’s lives and successes.

Everything starts when young children are exposed to a conducive learning environment in their early years. This atmosphere springs forth the spirit of collaboration, communication, mutual respect, confidence, positive growth, adaptability, character building, leadership skills to take up new projects and effectively interact with others through relationship building. These soft skills contribute to their successes as they grow.

With time, they expand their interest in specific technical skills that will require specialized knowledge to execute. These skills are often acquired through the walls of the schools or through training. The idea is they are able to stand, solve challenges to meet and exceed expectations.

The argument has been, how important is soft skills to hard skills? 

While hard skills are job-specific and are learned through work experience or training, soft skills refer to someone’s ability to relate and work with others. No matter the role, both are important and can play a big part in how one’s career advances.

In other words, you can not achieve much without soft skills as communication and human interaction rules today’s world. The power skills  needed for the future arguably take more time and practice than technical skills. Soft skills such as emotional intelligence, self awareness, creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, empathy, time management, communication, decision-making, leadership.

Research has proven that individuals who have these skills are high contributors and productive at what they do. 

Now the question- Can a student pass through a school and not learn soft skills?

Interestingly, the school designed academic learning as a spotlight. However, during the course of the learning, soft skills are embedded in the teaching. It takes deliberate action and discipline for every student to learn soft skills in school.

We  must confess that the responsibility lies with us and this is a call for collectivity responsibility. Parents are there to choose good schools for their wards. Schools are to create a conducive environment for all ages. Government is to supervise the activities of schools and ensure it is in line with excellence.Students are to deliberately learn and participate in activities for their growth.

Finally, there is a place for mentorship. It is a learning process that enables you to scale through challenging life transitions as you journey through life