One of our areas of focus this year, is promoting the importance of what are being referred to by tertiary institutions and the business sector as “Employability Skills”. If the importance of these skills could also be promoted at home, this would help us to drive the message to our students / your daughters more effectively

In order for our students to truly achieve success in the future, they have to have an understanding and respect for the importance of the 7 x employability skills. These are skills that employers all throughout NZ have identified as being important skills that they want and need their employee and new school leavers to have. The development of these skills compliments the acquiring of academic qualifications, which of course, is equally as important. The 2 (employability skills and academic qualifications) go hand in hand.

The 7 x employability skills are listed below.

1. Positive Attitude - a positive attitude in life makes a huge difference towards how things will turn out for you. Look for the good. Look for what is working. Look for solutions, rather than focusing on problems.

2. Communication – the ability to communicate effectively with people is crucial in order to experience success in this world. Learn to be an effective communicator!

3. Team work – the ability to be able to work well with others, is required in most, if not all, jobs and career paths. Be a good team player!

4. Self-Management – learn to manage yourself effectively. Take responsibility for your own life! Manage your time and your behaviour effectively. No one else can do this for you!

5. Thinking Skills – it’s important to learn how to think through situations. How do you work through an issue so that you can find a solution? How can you develop a plan or a strategy for improvement? Learn to think effectively.

6. Resilience – life sometimes throws challenges on your path. Learn to accept those challenges as part of your growing. Develop some resilience along the way so that you grow stronger from each setback.

7. Willingness to learn – keep an open mind! Be willing to learn new things and see things from a different perspective! Keep learning in this life!