Hashtag
Men's Weekly

New study – Soft skills essential yet many business lagging behind



A new study by The Australian Institute of Management (AIM) has identified soft skills as essential in the Australian workforce, yet businesses are failing to invest in their own employees.


According to the ‘AIM Soft Skills Survey 2019’, 9 out of 10 Australian leaders perceive soft skills as critical when hiring new talent and 80.5 per cent of Australian business leaders believe soft skill development is very or extremely important.

 

However, the survey also highlights that despite 51.9 per cent of Australian businesses allocating more than $1,000 per employee on a total learning and development budget, in 2019 it is predicted that 43.6 per cent will invest less than $500 per employee in soft skills training.

 

CEO of AIM, Ben Foote said; “The AIM survey results highlight that Australian leaders understand the need for soft skills, yet many are not willing to invest in their own employees to help further their soft skills.”

 

In the survey, the top three skills employers were able to identify to be the most important soft skills are:

  • Communication – 75.6 per cent of responders
  • Leadership – 55 per cent of responders
  • Emotional intelligence – 52.2 per cent of responders

 

“Communication, Leadership, and Emotional Intelligence are the key to an organisations growth and are the soft skills that will help businesses be more competitive, to grow and to create a positive internal culture,” said Mr Foote.

 

“In the age of digital disruption, automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence, the technical skills learnt one day can be obsolete the next. To thrive in a rapidly shifting landscape, organisations have no choice but to prepare their workforce for what the World Economic Forum has described as the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

 

In the survey, only 5.3 per cent of Australian leaders feel very well equipped to assess soft skills, yet subjective assessment is overwhelmingly used when hiring with 96.1 per cent using interviews and 71.4 per cent using references.

 

“To create an innovative and agile workforce, leaders need to be better equipped to identify the necessary soft skills needed so they know where the investment in training should be made,” said Mr Foote.

According to Mr Foote, all employees in the organisation need to increase their soft skills to keep the business competitive.

“All employees at every level, will need to learn complex problem solving, people management, collaboration and resilience to navigate the constantly changing business world,” said Mr Foote.

The AIM Soft Skills Survey was completed by 360 Australian leaders (182 HR leaders and 178 Non-HR Leaders and was conducted by AIM in September/October 2018.

Business News

The Role of Mining Equipment Suppliers in Driving the Industry Forward

Mining is one of the most essential sectors for global economic growth, providing raw materials for construction, energy production, manufacturing, and technology. Behind the scenes, mining equipmen...

Hashtag.net.au - avatar Hashtag.net.au

Security Industry Transformation Through Advanced VR Training

Australia's security industry, protecting everything from shopping centres to critical infrastructure, faces increasingly complex challenges requiring sophisticated interpersonal skills alongside tr...

Hashtag.net.au - avatar Hashtag.net.au

Commercial Timber: A Sustainable Future for Construction?

In the world of construction, where materials are constantly scrutinised for their environmental impact and long-term viability, the spotlight is increasingly turning towards timber. But not just an...

Hashtag.net.au - avatar Hashtag.net.au

How Data Cabling Powers Your Business: An Explainer

In today's fast-paced business environment, reliable and efficient communication is paramount. At the heart of this communication lies something often overlooked but utterly essential: the network o...

Hashtag.net.au - avatar Hashtag.net.au

Rubbish Removals That Make Life Easier and Spaces Cleaner

Modern life comes with a lot of waste—both literal and metaphorical. Old appliances, broken furniture, yard debris, outdated electronics, and general clutter often build up faster than expected. Tha...

Hashtag.net.au - avatar Hashtag.net.au

Party Venues Adelaide – Unique Spaces for Every Occasion

Adelaide is quickly becoming one of Australia's top choices for hosting memorable events, and the demand for quality party venues Adelaide is growing steadily. Whether it’s a birthday bash, engageme...

Hashtag.net.au - avatar Hashtag.net.au

Health & Wellness

Why Regular Visits to a Trusted Dentist Matter More Than You Think

Hashtag.net.au - avatar Hashtag.net.au

Seeing a dentist is often associated with pain or emergency situations. However, routine dental visits play a much larger role in maintaining not only oral health but your overall wellbeing. Whether...

5 Signs Your Loved One Might Benefit from In-Home Therapy Support

Hashtag.net.au - avatar Hashtag.net.au

Living with a disability or health condition can present daily challenges, especially when accessing regular therapy support outside the home. That’s why many individuals and their families are turn...

Connecting You to Community: The Role of Your NDIS Disability Services Provider in Inclusion

Hashtag.net.au - avatar Hashtag.net.au

(Source)When discussing disability services, it is tempting to focus on the practical aspects, such as daily routines, mobility aids, and support workers. However, after all that, there is another thi...