Integrating soft skill training in professional courses for sustainable employment: an overview

Abstract

There has been a significant shift in the educational and employment scenario in recent years. Employers used to prioritize individuals with a strong academic record and relevant work experience, but today, persons with superior soft skills have surpassed them. It is typical to discover that graduating students lack the necessary abilities to work effectively in a corporate environment. Recruiters believe that new hires lack soft skills such as the capacity to effectively communicate, think creatively, solve problems independently, work well with others, and act professionally. This is one of the main reasons why many students, even those with relevant degrees, find it difficult to find work. This can lead to students questioning the practical worth of the many professional degrees that are offered in contemporary times. To close this gap, the field of training and development has developed a rapidly expanding and specialized sector known as “soft skill training.” Both technical and soft skill development are viewed as essential for an employee’s efficacy and success at work. Researchers claim that learning soft skills is more important and critical for professional development than learning technical abilities, and as a result, it is considered one of the most in-demand core talents for organization growth and development. The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the practical implications of soft skill training in bridging the gap between industry needs and curricular gaps. It also tries to look into the influence of soft skill training in terms of its importance, utility, and subsequent competence development.