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Soft Skills
Let’s Make Sure Young People are Ready for the Future
Across the country, there is growing recognition that fostering meaningful connections between students, educators, and professionals across a range of industries can create powerful learning experiences for young people. Much existing career-connected learning focuses on exposing students to the world of work and equipping them with the technical or “hard” skills they’ll need to advance in whatever career path they choose.
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No matter their next steps, we also know that youth benefit from explicit opportunities to learn about and practice so-called soft skills like communication, teamwork, and other interpersonal skills necessary for success at school, on the job, and in life.
Research- and Experienced-Backed Frameworks
Our partners at MHA Labs conducted a comprehensive review of hundreds of research studies, 12K+ youth performance reviews, and insights from 100+ experts, teachers, parents, and youth in order to synthesize the skills most critical for personal, economic, and community success.
6 Soft Skill Domains
Personal Mindset
Communication
Planning for Success
Collaboration
Social Awareness
Problem Solving
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These frameworks are embedded across all of the career-connected learning experiences and opportunities the YouthForce NOLA network offers to young New Orleanians as well as aligned resources for everyone in our students’ lives—their families, teachers, coaches, bosses, everyone.