Grow Student Employability Skills Through Coaching

“I can’t hire fast enough. We need front-line workers, from sales reps and technicians to drivers and mechanics. More than just knowing about our products or how to turn a wrench, I need people who can connect with customers. Right now, the skills I’m looking for are communication, relationship building, and coachability.” 

These are the words of Bill, the senior executive I sat next to on a cross-country flight last week. He leads a large transportation and logistics company. Frustratingly, many job applicants lack the employment success skills his business desperately needs. He has found this is especially the case with recent graduates, many of whom are entering the workforce underprepared.  

“Coachability is key,” Bill told me. “I need folks who are open to feedback and know how to turn it into performance.” When we help students grow through coaching, we not only help them in the moment, but also equip them with the skills they need to develop themselves in the future. Building our own capabilities as coaches allows us to better serve our students and give them tools for career success. 

“In our business, no one is ‘just’ a technician or ‘just’ a driver,” he said. “These employees are the most customer-facing in our organization. The experience our customers have with these workers can be the deciding factor in whether we earn or lose their business. We need people who can build rapport, demonstrate empathy, and communicate clearly.” 

As educators, we are on the front line of helping our students develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers and in life. Investing in ourselves and enhancing our coaching capabilities helps us to maximize the impact for our students. As Bill noted, “We need new hires to learn these skills as part of their education, so they are prepared to succeed.” 

Our 3-day Inclusive Coaching Training next month is designed to address the critical areas Bill highlighted in our conversation. From communication and relationship building to being feedback-ready and developing empathy, the course will equip you to support, develop, and grow your students’ employability skills. When it comes to creating more equitable outcomes in society, equipping your students with employability skills sets them up for a lifetime of financial independence. 

Follow this link for details and registration. 

I look forward to seeing you in class! 

Liz Sweigart, PhD, MBA, ACC 

LifeBound Executive Coach & Facilitator