Addressing Skills Gaps withthe Must-Have Skills of the

21st Century Workplace

Tyler Wadetyler@ppldev.com

Dennis Wadedennis@ppldev.com

Objectives

Explore why it is important to develop the 4 Cs inyour workforce

Consider what the 4 Cs could do for yourorganization

Discover ways to integrate the 4 Cs into yourorganizational and employee developmentplanning

1

Agenda

What are the 4 Cs? Why the 4 Cs? How can we reduce gaps in the 4 Cs?

2

What are the 4 Cs? Critical Thinking/Problem Solving – the ability to

make decisions, solve problems, and take actionas appropriate

Communication – the ability to synthesize andtransmit your ideas in written and oral formats

Collaboration – the ability to work effectively withothers, including those from diverse groups andwith opposing points of view

Creativity and Innovation – the ability to seewhat’s NOT there and make something happen

3

CriticalThinking

ProblemSolving

Creativity

Innovation

Communi-cation

Collabo-ration

5

6

Every 21st century skills implementationrequires the development of coreacademic subject knowledge andunderstanding among all students.Those who can think critically andcommunicate effectively must build on abase of core academic subjectknowledge.

Within the context of core knowledgeinstruction, students must also learnthe essential skills for success intoday’s world, such as criticalthinking, problem solving,communication and collaboration.

7

21ST CENTURY SKILLS AND THE WORKPLACEA 2013 MICROSOFT PARTNERS IN LEARNING AND PEARSON FOUNDATION STUDY

Most of the skills I use in my current job, I developedoutside of school.

15%

59% 25%

Strongly disagree or disagree (1-2)

Neither agree nor disagree (3)

Strongly agree or agree (4-5)

Respondents were nearly four times as likely to credit the skills they usefor their work to outside activities rather than to the classroom.

8

21ST CENTURY SKILLS AND THE WORKPLACEA 2013 MICROSOFT PARTNERS IN LEARNING AND PEARSON FOUNDATION STUDY

In general, what applied skill gaps do job applicants have in your industry?California

11

Note: Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options. Only respondents whose organizations were having a diff iculttime recruiting for certain types of jobs were asked this question. An asterisk (*) indicates there is a statistically signif icant differencebetween organizations in California compared with those in the United States.

The Ongoing Impact of the Recession—California Recruiting and Skill Gaps ©SHRM 2013

In general, what applied skill gaps do job applicants have in your industry?California

12

Note: Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options. Only respondents whose organizations were having a diff iculttime recruiting for certain types of jobs were asked this question. An asterisk (*) indicates there is a statistically signif icant differencebetween organizations in California compared with those in the United States.

The Ongoing Impact of the Recession—California Recruiting and Skill Gaps ©SHRM 2013

Two Questions

Has your organization experienced skills gaps?

What areas have you experienced skills gaps: inrecruiting or existing staff or other?

13

How can we reduce gaps in the 4 Cs?

We’ll experience some social learning today We’ll be using all 4 Cs to solve this problem In your groups, consider your assigned “C” and

how it could be developed in your workplace Put on your critical thinker and problem solver

hats Make sure to communicate Be collaborative, creative, and innovative

14

If you’re responsible for a moreskilled workforce… Free resources at PPLDEV.COM Online Critical Thinking Skills course White paper: Overcoming the Four Dilemmas of

Problem Solving and Decision Making E-book: How to Coach the Remote Employee Consulting: Thirty minutes consulting on anything

related to this topic (email us with key phrase“SHRM skills gaps”)

Your proposal: We’ll help you write a proposalthat supports your idea to upper management

15

Wrap-up

Action Plan Final questions or comments? Thank you! Evaluations

dennis@ppldev.comtyler@ppldev.com

16

Appendix

Detailed definitions of the 4 Cs Ways to shrink gaps in the 4 Cs

17

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

Use various types of reasoning as appropriate Analyze how parts of a whole interact with each

other to produce overall outcomes in complexsystems

Analyze and evaluate evidence, arguments,claims, and beliefs

Identify and ask significant questions that clarifyvarious points of view and lead to bettersolutions

18

Communication

Articulate thoughts and ideas effectively Listen effectively Use communication for multiple purposes Utilize multiple media and technologies Communicate effectively in diverse

environments

19

Collaboration

Work effectively and respectfully with diverseteams

Exercise flexibility and willingness to be helpfulto accomplish a common goal

Assume shared responsibility for collaborativework

Value individual contributions made by teammembers

20

Creativity and Innovation

Use a wide range of idea creation techniques Elaborate, refine, analyze, and evaluate ideas in

order to improve and maximize creative efforts Develop, implement, and communicate new

ideas to others effectively Be open and responsive to new and diverse

perspectives; incorporate group input andfeedback into the work

Act on creative ideas to make a tangible anduseful contribution to the field

21

Ways to reduce the gap in the 4 Cs

According to the AMA study, here are the topfive ways to develop employees’ 4 Cs (in priorityorder)1. One-on-one coaching2. Mentoring3. On-the-job training4. Job rotation5. Professional development / training

22