Employers say: Critical Thinking is Most Critical Emerging Skill

A report based on a detailed survey of 431 human resource officials was conducted in April and May 2006 by The Conference Board, Corporate Voices for Working Families, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and the Society for Human Resource Management. Its objective was to examine employers’ views on the readiness of new entrants to the U.S. workforce — recently hired graduates from high schools, two-year colleges or technical schools, and four-year colleges.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents (70 percent) rated recently hired high school graduates as deficient in critical thinking.

To determine future skill needs, employer respondents were asked to indicate which of several emerging content areas they believe to be “most critical” for future graduates entering the workforce over the next five years. Here’s the results:

What emerging content areas are considered “most critical” over the next five years?

1 Critical Thinking* /Problem Solving. . . . . 77.8%
2 Information Technology Application* . . . . 77.4
3 Teamwork/Collaboration* . . . . . . . . . . . . 74.2
4 Creativity/Innovation* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73.6
5 Diversity* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67.1
6 Leadership* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66.9
7 Oral Communications* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65.9
8 Professionalism/Work Ethic* . . . . . . . . . . 64.4
9 Ethics/Social Responsibility* . . . . . . . . . 64.3
10 Written Communications* . . . . . . . . . . . . 64.0
11 Lifelong Learning/Self Direction* . . . . . . 64.0%
12 Foreign Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.3
13 Mathematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.8
14 Writing in English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.4
15 Reading Comprehension . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.0
16 Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.7
*Applied Skills

The report defines critical thinking:

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving—Exercise sound reasoning and analytical thinking; use knowledge, facts, and data to solve workplace problems; apply math and science concepts to problem solving.

Some quotes:

“ To succeed in today’s workplace, young people need more than basic reading and math skills. They need substantial content knowledge and information technology skills; advanced thinking skills, flexibility to adapt to change; and interpersonal skills to succeed in multi-cultural, cross-functional teams.”
J. Willard Marriott, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Marriott International, Inc.

“The basics plus an array of applied and social skills – from critical thinking to collaboration to communications – defines workforce readiness in the 21st century,”
Ken Kay, President of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

read the full report (pdf) here

Survey: Employers Fear Drop in Skilled Work Force

Survey: Employers Fear Drop in Skilled Work Force
By Cari Merrill
For Loveland Connection (Colorado)
November 20, 2008

The Workforce Survey Report from the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp. and CSU’s Office of Economic Development found that, of the 147 employer responses, about half expect challenges in finding a qualified work force with a strong work ethic.

Most companies are willing to train workers, the report said, but need and want employees who know how to work and think critically.

“One of the things that continues to stand out in the survey … is the need for more soft skills,” said Kathy Gilliland, director of the Northern Colorado Workforce Initiative.

That includes critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as the ability to communicate on a variety of levels.

From these results, the report recommended Gilliland and others implement an organized strategic plan for work force development, one that will include better communication between educators and businesses to teach the skills required for the next-generation work force.

“Unfortunately, many school administrators, teachers and counselors are not fully attuned to the daily challenges many businesses face and how these businesses rely on all of their workers to meet these challenges,” the report said.

The Northern Colorado Workforce Initiative already has started creating a plan.

rest of article …