21st century skills
What are 21st Century skills?
21st century skills are the knowledge, capability, skills, and ethics required by current the job market.
"21st Century skills generally refer to certain core competences such as collaboration, digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving, that advocates believe schools need to teach to help students thrive in today’s world” - Elizabeth Rich
21st century skills are the knowledge, capability, skills, and ethics required by current the job market.
"21st Century skills generally refer to certain core competences such as collaboration, digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving, that advocates believe schools need to teach to help students thrive in today’s world” - Elizabeth Rich
Why are 21st Century skills important?
Currently, the Tanzanian job market faces a skills mismatch between the skills which employers are looking for, and those which are provided by young people. This results in a large drop out rate from corporate jobs and vacancies remaining unfilled, despite high unemployment levels. Young people do not know which skills are needed by employers, or where to develop these skills. This section aims to help young people understand which skills are required in the current job market, and how to develop them.
Currently, the Tanzanian job market faces a skills mismatch between the skills which employers are looking for, and those which are provided by young people. This results in a large drop out rate from corporate jobs and vacancies remaining unfilled, despite high unemployment levels. Young people do not know which skills are needed by employers, or where to develop these skills. This section aims to help young people understand which skills are required in the current job market, and how to develop them.
Team work
If you want to do a task effectively you will need to do it with your colleagues as part of a team. To work in a team you need to be friendly, positive, and a good listener. It is important to respect each other and the ideas you share, helping each other to work as one. Having effective teams is very important for any organisation or company. You can gain experience in working in a team by being part of a sports team, volunteering team, or any other team activity.
If you want to do a task effectively you will need to do it with your colleagues as part of a team. To work in a team you need to be friendly, positive, and a good listener. It is important to respect each other and the ideas you share, helping each other to work as one. Having effective teams is very important for any organisation or company. You can gain experience in working in a team by being part of a sports team, volunteering team, or any other team activity.
Communication Skills
Both written and oral communication skills are important in the workplace. Effective communication skills allow you to work better as part of a team, adapt to the work culture of different organisations, and increase the impact of your work. Practical communication techniques include letter writing, emailing, presenting your ideas, and having discussions within your team. You can develop your communication skills by teaching younger students, practicing public speaking, listening to others, and discussing your ideas with others.
Both written and oral communication skills are important in the workplace. Effective communication skills allow you to work better as part of a team, adapt to the work culture of different organisations, and increase the impact of your work. Practical communication techniques include letter writing, emailing, presenting your ideas, and having discussions within your team. You can develop your communication skills by teaching younger students, practicing public speaking, listening to others, and discussing your ideas with others.
Creativity and Innovation
Creativity and innovation are important to developing and pursuing a greater vision, not just the direct task at hand. Mark Chandler from Sisco said, “If you try 5 things and get all of them right, you maybe failing. If you try 10 things and get 8 of them right, you are a hero. You will not be blamed for failing to reach a stretch goal, but you will be blamed for not trying." Being about to think creatively will broaden your mental horizons, and allow you to find new solutions to your challenges. When you are faced with a problem, you should think creatively and brain storm every possible solution without fear that they may fail.
Creativity and innovation are important to developing and pursuing a greater vision, not just the direct task at hand. Mark Chandler from Sisco said, “If you try 5 things and get all of them right, you maybe failing. If you try 10 things and get 8 of them right, you are a hero. You will not be blamed for failing to reach a stretch goal, but you will be blamed for not trying." Being about to think creatively will broaden your mental horizons, and allow you to find new solutions to your challenges. When you are faced with a problem, you should think creatively and brain storm every possible solution without fear that they may fail.
Critical thinking
The 21st century world needs smart people who can think critically and come up with new solutions to different problems. To improve your critical thinking skills you should expose yourself to new ideas, information and alternative ways of solving problems through reading different materials. Read books beyond your curriculum, newspapers, different documents and articles on the internet. Whilst reading you should consider what you think about what the person is writing, do you agree or disagree with what they are saying? Question the world around you, and consider how it is best to solve different problems.
The 21st century world needs smart people who can think critically and come up with new solutions to different problems. To improve your critical thinking skills you should expose yourself to new ideas, information and alternative ways of solving problems through reading different materials. Read books beyond your curriculum, newspapers, different documents and articles on the internet. Whilst reading you should consider what you think about what the person is writing, do you agree or disagree with what they are saying? Question the world around you, and consider how it is best to solve different problems.
Technological Literacy
Technology is becoming a key part of any career, and therefore as educated youth, technological literacy is a very important skill. Skills such as creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations, sending emails, and using the internet are increasingly desired by employers. Through technology you can also access social, economic, business, political and cultural ideas, information, and comparative data. This can aid you in creating new solutions to problems. CDI have recently created a workbook on technological skills, please use this workbook to develop your skills.
Technology is becoming a key part of any career, and therefore as educated youth, technological literacy is a very important skill. Skills such as creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations, sending emails, and using the internet are increasingly desired by employers. Through technology you can also access social, economic, business, political and cultural ideas, information, and comparative data. This can aid you in creating new solutions to problems. CDI have recently created a workbook on technological skills, please use this workbook to develop your skills.
kompyuther_handbook.pdf | |
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Personal Development
It is important to continually work on developing your personal skill-set. Employers value graduates who understand their own strengths, weaknesses, and personal skills, and work to develop them. Use our self discovery section to identify your own personal attributes. You may want to develop skills such as confidence, time management, and developing an entrepreneurial mindset. To develop these personal skills you should read as much as possible. Through reading you create a structured path towards an enhanced understanding of self and the ability to make better decisions when faced with all life has to offer.
It is important to continually work on developing your personal skill-set. Employers value graduates who understand their own strengths, weaknesses, and personal skills, and work to develop them. Use our self discovery section to identify your own personal attributes. You may want to develop skills such as confidence, time management, and developing an entrepreneurial mindset. To develop these personal skills you should read as much as possible. Through reading you create a structured path towards an enhanced understanding of self and the ability to make better decisions when faced with all life has to offer.
Accessing and analysing information
Through information, we understand new ideas, and become aware of what is going on across the world. The 21st century world needs people who are well informed. Doing research and finding data are examples of accessing information which in turn keeps you updated. In Tanzania there is a saying that, you cannot know all, but you better know a lot! This implies that to having access to information is best way for widening our understanding on the entire world. Never stop learning.
Through information, we understand new ideas, and become aware of what is going on across the world. The 21st century world needs people who are well informed. Doing research and finding data are examples of accessing information which in turn keeps you updated. In Tanzania there is a saying that, you cannot know all, but you better know a lot! This implies that to having access to information is best way for widening our understanding on the entire world. Never stop learning.