How do Essential Skills Influence Life Outcomes?
There are plenty of reports which emphasize the importance of building essential skills in light of structural changes in the labour market, including technological disruptions and changing work norms.
This research explores the relationship between young people's skills development, and life outcomes in terms of their educational attainment, employment prospects, and social and emotional wellbeing.
The relationship between essential skills and academic outcomes
There was evidence that some of the essential skills, including listening, staying positive and teamwork, can support young people's academic outcomes, resulting in improved reading and writing skills, as well as attainment.
The relationship between essential skills and employment outcomes
The evidence found that the development of skills such as speaking, listening and staying positive can positively influence young people's employment prospects. There was also evidence of links between teamwork and leadership skills and performance in the workplace.
The relationship between essential skills and social and emotional wellbeing
The literature also indicated that interventions focused on pupils' social and emotional skills, such as teamwork, speaking and listening, can improve children and young people's emotional and social competencies. These competencies support self-regulation and relationship building, and can result in positive outcomes around wellbeing.
