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The Three Rivers Workforce
Investment Board (TRWIB), in partnership with
the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board and
the Philadelphia Youth Network, has identified
a set of work ready competencies associated with
success in entry-level employment. These competencies,
which reflect universal skills and qualifications
that cut across industries, have been critiqued
and validated through focus groups with more than
50 employers. The TRWIB is working with local
youth service providers to ensure that these competencies
are incorporated into their training programs.
| Competency
area |
Competency |
| Basic
reading skills |
• Reads and recalls information at
grade level completed
• Demonstrates reading comprehension
• Reads for a variety of learning-related
and real-life work issues
• Proofreads documents for correct
grammar, punctuation, and organization
|
| Basic
listening skills |
• Listens actively for a variety of
purposes
• Interprets meaning of instruction
and interaction accurately
|
| Basic
speaking skills |
•
Speaks appropriately in both formal and informal
settings
• Speaks using effective communication
skills
• Speaks clearly using real words (avoids
"uhs,""ums," and profanity)
• Makes eye contact
• Demonstrates general customer friendliness |
| Basic
writing skills |
•
Prepares a quality writing sample with correct
grammar, punctuation, organization of thoughts,
accuracy and completeness
• Conducts and documents inquiry-based
research
• Writes for academic, personal, social,
and school-to-career purposes
• Prepares professional business writing
documents (e.g. email, memos)
• Understands appropriate use of email
(when to use email and when not to)
• Uses legible hand-writing |
| Basic
math skills |
•
Demonstrates ability to add, subtract, multiply
and divide without a machine
• Solves problems in which there is a
need to measure accurately—weights, measures,
and volumes
• Demonstrates understanding of money
concepts (e.g. calculating change)
• Understands the importance and implications
of accuracy |
| Basic
job seeking skills |
•
Identifies, secures, and completes all documentation
needed to gain employment
• Develops and completes a resume / cover
letter
• Identifies and explores career / vocational
areas of interest and identifies careers or
vocations that appropriately align with professional
skill
sets
• Conducts a job search
• Demonstrates effective interview skills
including focus and use of appropriate body
language and dress
• Develops an interview follow-up communication
strategy
• Shares appropriate references
• Completes appropriate clearances and
background checks where applicable
• Maintains proper business etiquette
• Demonstrates effective communication
during the job seeking process (including
appropriate follow-up correspondence and information)
• Demonstrates job retention if held
previous employment
• Understands that non work activities
(i.e. activities during time off) can impact
professional goals and ability to obtain and
retain employment |
| Basic
job retention skills |
•
Responds appropriately to supervision / direction
• Demonstrates dependability and reliability
by coming to work on time and remaining at
work for entire shift
• Respects diversity (e.g. race, gender,
sexual orientation, cultural heritage / traditions)
• Understands the importance of teamwork
• Understands the difference between
verbal and nonverbal communication
• Gives and receives constructive feedback
• Participates fully in a task from initiation
to completion
• Understands workplace etiquette (including
turning off cell phones at work and dealing
with personal issues during non-work hours)
• Knows when and how to ask for clarification
on tasks and when to ask for help |
| Basic
life skills |
•
Manages personal finances effectively
• Practices effective time management
• Navigates transportation systems
• Maintains balance between personal
and professional life
• Demonstrates ability to set and achieve
goals
• Manages emotions appropriately
• Learns how to adapt to unforeseen circumstances |
| Basic
technology skills |
•
Understands basic computer skills (e.g. Microsoft
Office Tools)
• Demonstrates comfort with learning
and applying various technology programs and
software |
| Basic
personal and social development skills |
•
Establishes and maintains personal and professional
networks
• Practices effective conflict resolution
strategies
• Demonstrates the ability to identify
and assess community information
• Demonstrates self-discipline, integrity,
honesty, compassion, independent thinking
and responsibility while role modeling appropriate
business behavior
• Understands and adheres to general
employer policies
• Establishes a positive work and school
history
• Understands leadership qualities, values,
and behaviors
• Develops critical thinking and problem
solving skills |
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