Investigating the Perception of Stakeholders on Soft Skills Development of Students: Evidence from South Africa.

doi:10.28945/3412

Paper

Investigating the Perception of Stakeholders on Soft Skills Development of Students: Evidence from South Africa.

Published Mar 13, 2016 · E. Taylor

Interdisciplinary Journal of e-Skills and Lifelong Learning

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56

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2

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Abstract

Introduction Joseph, Ang, Chang, and Slaughter (2010) refer to a growing awareness that technical skills alone are insufficient for success in IT, particularly in today's dynamic, distributed, and complex workplace. A broader set of skills, beyond traditional technical skills, are required, and these are labelled soft skills. Employers complain about a lack in soft skills among graduates from tertiary education institutions (Schulz, 2008). The situation is further complicated because no agreement exists about what these skills actually are, which are of importance and how acquiring them should be approached in higher education (Adomssent et al., 2007). For many years industry recruiters have been emphasizing the importance of soft kills, e.g., interpersonal communication skills and teamwork (Russell, Russell, & Tastle, 2005). The possession of soft skills is strongly associated with life and employment success (Gibb, 2014) and the realisation of importance of soft skills is on the increase (Azim et al., 2010). According to Bancino and Zevalkink (2007) the increased demand for a broader skill set is because of the necessity for improvements to the bottom line, increasing competition, and globalization. Business executives consider soft skills a very important attribute in job applicants because soft skills are seen as critical for productive performance (Robles, 2012). It is not enough to be academically strong; employees need to work with other cultures, communicate well, and be punctual and dependable (Gewertz, 2007). Soft skills are becoming increasingly important, and soft skills such as teamwork and collaboration, planning and leading projects, presentation delivery, and writing skills will be critical for success in the Information Systems profession (Noll & Wilkins, 2002). The aim of this paper is to research the perceptions of lecturers, industry, and students on soft skills, and to identify important soft skills that need to be developed. The paper starts with a problem statement emphasizing the importance of soft skills and the possible lack thereof. In the literature review the terminology is defined, and a list of important soft skills is compiled. This is followed by a description of the methodology followed for this research, the results, conclusion and the references. Problem Statement Bancino and Zevalkink (2007) wrote that the focus of education and training is on technical topics and mathematics, science, and technical skills, yet the fast-paced, global marketplace of today is demanding more. Technical professionals in disciplines such as information technology, engineering, architecture, and research and development are increasingly required to broaden their skill sets to master the so-called soft skills. The skills gap that has employers worried isn't the technical skills gap, but the soft skills gap. Senior management complain about the lack of soft skills in new employees and emphasize that knowledge alone is not enough to succeed, but that effective communication also influences success (Klaus, 2010). The practical importance of soft skills has been amply illustrated through research attempting to define factors related to project and project management success (Stevenson & Starkweather, 2010). Technical skills are a part of most educational curricula, but soft skills need further emphasis in the university curricula (Robles, 2012). Douglas (2002) argues, "... it is an accepted truism that some people who are gifted from a scientific and technical point of view find their career progress checked by their fundamental difficulties with managing people. They cannot be blamed for their lack of facility in this area, their entire training has been based around acquiring the rigorous knowledge they need to succeed at a technical level in their industry. Expecting them automatically to excel at managing people is at best naive and at worst quite unreasonable". …

Literature Review

Study Snapshot

Soft skills, such as teamwork and collaboration, are crucial for success in IT careers, and addressing this gap is crucial for achieving global competitiveness and productivity.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

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Investigating the Perception of Stakeholders on Soft Skills Development of Students: Evidence from South Africa.

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References

Soft skills assessment: theory development and the research agenda

A research agenda based on attribution theory can improve the assessment of soft skills, enhancing personal development and employment opportunities.

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Soft skills in computer science and software engineering should be learned and mastered gradually through engagement, active learning, and reflection, rather than being taught formally.

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Business executives consider integrity, communication, courtesy, responsibility, social skills, positive attitude, professionalism, flexibility, teamwork, and work ethic as the top 10 soft skills needed in job applicants.

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ULL's innovative Software Engineering coursework provides students with practical experience in supervision, project management, quality control, and decision-making, leading to higher performance and better preparedness for the engineering profession.

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IT executives value leadership, communication, verbal and written skills, attitude, and ability to handle ambiguity and change as critical core competences for successful project management.

Citations

A systematic review of soft skills interventions within curricula from school to university level

Soft skills interventions in education can positively impact students' holistic development, but more high-quality resources are needed for effective implementation.

Exploring staff and student experiences of group-work assessment in higher education

Students felt prepared for group work but less prepared for presentations, but overall found the group presentation assessment enjoyable and beneficial, with room for improvement in support resources and individual contribution grade.

The Impact of Leadership, Communication, and Teamwork Practices on Employee Trust in the Workplace

Pracising leadership, communication, and teamwork skills significantly and positively impact employee trust in the workplace.

Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Development and Acquisition of Soft Skills among Information Technology Undergraduate Students in Nairobi, Kenya

Stakeholder perceptions of soft skill development in IT undergraduate students in Nairobi are significantly different from actual skill acquisition, highlighting the need for enhanced teaching methods and curriculum alignment.

Criteria and Indicators of Foreign Language Teachers’ Soft Communicative Skills

Soft communication skills are crucial for foreign language teachers to engage, inspire, and connect with students, enhancing pedagogical practice and overall educational institution functioning.

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The "STEMM Games" course effectively enhances self-awareness, collaboration, and student engagement in applied STEM fields through a series of carefully designed games.

Students’ Perceptions of the Skills in the Labor Market in the 4th Industrial Revolution

Students at the University of the Aegean and the University of Patras consider hard skills and soft skills more important than programming and mathematics for future employment, but their degrees may not be sufficient in the next 10-15 years.

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Higher grade levels have a stronger impact on the indirect effect of psychological capital on soft skills through psychological well-being in high school students.

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Soft skills significantly influence individual career development and can be learned and improved through relevant education and training to have a competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive job market.