What gives a worker a competitive edge? What skills or competencies do workers need?

Employers have identified five competencies vital to success says Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson, a workforce development specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

• Utilizing resources or having the ability to allocate time, money, materials and staff

• Working with others or possessing the skills and desire to participate in teams, teach others, serve customers, and negotiate and work well with people from culturally diverse backgrounds

• Using information or knowing how to acquire and evaluate data, organize and maintain files, interpret and communicate information, and use computers to process information

• Understanding systems or comprehending social, organizational and technical systems; monitoring and correcting performance; and designing or improving systems

• Working with technology--knowing the equipment and tools to select; applying technology to specific tasks; and maintaining and troubleshooting equipment

Hiring managers agree that these five competencies are as important as basic academic skills, higher-order thinking skills, and good personal qualities, says Robinson.

"Employers need reliable, responsible workers who can solve problems and who have the social skills and attitudes to work together with other workers. Creative, energetic employees are desired by employers who are trying to create an empowered, high-performance workforce. Employees with these skills are in demand and are considered valuable human capital assets to companies," says Robinson.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System offers employers no-cost job seminars tailored to meet the needs of employees. For more information about setting up a seminar, contact Dr. Jacquelyn P. Robinson at (334) 844-5353 or jrobinso@ aces.edu.

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