TVETipedia Glossary

Soft skills

Soft skills are also referred to as 21st century skills or as power skills.

A set of intangible personal qualities, traits, attributes, habits and attitudes that can be used in many different types of jobs.

Source:
IBE, Glossary of Curriculum Terminology, 2013
IBE, Glossary of Curriculum Terminology, 2013
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The main purpose of the UNESCO IBE Glossary of curriculum-related terminology is not to establish standard universally applicable definitions. Rather, it is intended to be a working reference tool that can be used in a range of activities and help to stimulate reflection among all those involved in curriculum development initiatives.

The inter-personal and intra-personal skills required to be effective in the workplace.

Source:
Irish National Training and Employment Autority (2016), Soft skills development in the Irish economy

Skills that are cross-cutting across jobs (see Job-specific skills) and sectors (see Sector-specific jobs) and relate to personal competences (confidence, discipline, self-management) and social competences (teamwork, communication, emotional intelligence).

Source:
European Commission, EU skills panorama glossary, (accessed 01/2016)
European Commission, EU skills panorama glossary, (accessed 01/2016)
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(December 2022: This glossary is no longer available online, but it can still be accessed via web archive.)
It lists definitions of key skills-related terms and concepts: “Skills Panorama aims to improve Europe’s capacity to assess and anticipate skill needs to help make education and training systems more responsive to labour market needs and to match better skill supply and demand across Europe. Skills Panorama is brought to you by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion and powered by Cedefop, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training.”

Non-job specific skills that are related to individual ability to operate effectively in the workplace.

Source:
European Commission, Transferability of Skills across Economic Sectors, 2012
European Commission, Transferability of Skills across Economic Sectors, 2012
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The project analysed the role and importance of transferable skills with regard to the employability, adaptability and occupationamobility of people on the labour market. This analysis is based in the first instance on existing experience and available information, including the findings of 18 sector studies (see European Commission 2009a) to identify future skills.