Soft Skills
Some examples of “Soft Skills” developed on TUC and UNISON courses
This list is meant to give an indication of the variety of “soft skills” developed on trade union courses. “Soft skills” are hard to define, and are probably best thought of as the opposite of hard technical skills. Soft skills are extremely useful to trade union reps, and are highly prized by employers.
It is probably impossible to give an exhaustive list of all the skills developed on trade union courses, but here is as complete a list as time currently allows.
Verbal Communication Skills - for example
- ability to talk to people (members, non-members, other reps, management)
- advising members and other reps
-
organising people
- explaining things to a wide range of people
- listening to a wide range of people
- understanding members’, and other reps’ difficulties
- negotiation and representing
- making presentations
- presenting a motion.
Written Communication Skills - for example:
- writing minutes
- note-taking
- writing course notes, and more extended pieces of course work
- reading
- writing or checking reports
- writing letters, leaflets, posters
- writing a motion.
Skills dealing with Paperwork and Numbers - for example:
- keeping or organising course notes
- dealing with any correspondence brought into course
- typing or keyboard skills
- using measurements
- designing a survey
Problem solving skills - for example:
- Using the Problem Information Plan (PIP) approach
- otherwise finding solutions to problems
- coming up with good ideas and using initiatve
- planning and organising things
- working through real problems
Information Technology Skills - for example:
- using office application packages - word processing, spreadsheets, databases
- internet skills - doing searches, finding information, using e-mail
People skills - for example:
- Working in a team
- Leadership skills
- Coaching and mentoring other reps
-
Conflict management
-
Chairing meetings
-
Contributing to meetings
Rob Hancock
REO SERTUC
August 2009
