Blog Actually: self knowledge

Blog, Actually

Welcome to the Me, Actually blog.

A report in ‘The Times’ (17 May 2010 edition) conducted by Confederation of British Industry (CBI) was carried out with over 690 companies, highlights the lack of fundamental employability skills, which some school leavers and graduates possess. These range from basic literacy and numeracy to problem solving, team working and self management skills.

In February this year a women’s employment strategy was launched by the Government Equalities office to promote, among other things, flexible working in senior positions, so that women, who still have the major share of caring responsibilities at home, can also play a role at senior levels within organisations. The impact for women, particularly women returners, has been a push towards already crowded, lower grade and lower paid roles.

What connects these two seemingly unconnected points? The answer is targeted investment in the individual.

If we look at these two groups – new entrants to the work place and women returners – we can identify similar needs. Both groups need additional (or updated) skills alongside those they have already developed. A new entrant may have highly developed research and technological skills, but be unfamiliar with team working or self management. A ‘returner’ may be looking to update their skills for a specific sector, especially if they have been out of the work place for a period of years.

In both cases, targeted investment is needed; this will certainly require time and may also require money.

There are resources available for individuals within these groups ranging from local colleges and academic institutions to consultants and companies who specialise in specific areas of professional (and personal) development. These professional bodies can offer advice, guidance and information on courses, programmes and networks to help the individual.

However this alone won’t do the trick. We recognise that coming into the workplace for the first time, or returning to it after a period of absence can be a frightening prospect. We also recognise that a lot depends on the individual’s willingness to engage in the process – ownership of their development, if you will.

With this in mind, Blog, Actually offers two small steps to take. They may be self evident and, indeed, Blog, Actually may be pilloried for stating the blatantly obvious, but it is worth the risk. The first step is detailed below.

Step one comprises self knowledge. Ask yourself questions such as:

• Do I know about all the skills that I have?

• Can I list them?

• Can I use them in their current format?

• What happens if I don’t update them?

• What is it that I want really to do (putting aside any obstacles at this point)?

• What do I need to do next to get this show on the road?

Read the next Blog to catch up on the next step and let us know what you think about the blog itself.

Blog, Actually