A new guide has been compiled with contributions from a range of UK-based companies to identify the top 10 employability skills which they look for in potential employees. The guide goes one step further by giving examples of how young people could show evidence of these skills in an interview or application for a job. Examples, many of which are STEM-related, are given of where young people may have developed and demonstrated skills both in and outside lessons. 

Employability Skills can be defined as the transferable skills needed by an individual to make them ‘employable’. Along with good technical understanding and subject knowledge, employers often outline a set of skills that they want from an employee. These skills are what they believe will equip the employee to carry out their role to the best of their ability. 

Employability depends on your knowledge, skills and attitudes, how you use those assets, and how you present them to employers. 

The guide has been compiled by STEMNET and is available to download at http://www.stemnet.org.uk/resources/employability_skills_guide.cfm

Guest Blogger: Cathy Brown, STEMNET