Hard Focus on Soft Skills
The term ‘soft skills’’ has been applied to many of the competencies now being prioritised by countries in their curriculum reform and/or redesign agendas. This term, often used to profle the capabilities of employees and also given prominence in recruitment processes, refers to skills and dispositions, many of which have also been described as 21st century skills.
These skills are no longer seen as “soft” or of secondary importance to other conventional and well-entrenched curriculum content owing to changing economic,, social and environmental conditions in and across countries.
This paper has been developed to shine a light on the significant focus being given to the development of competencies across the globe. It also highlights the specific skills and dispositions that are receiving broad acceptance at national policy level as well as particular drivers behind this phenomenon.
