Work-Integrated Learning: Shaping employability skills for the future

Abstract

Over the last five years the employability skills sought by business has changed. This trend will continue due to the increasing impact of automation, outsourcing and information and communication technology (ICT) in the workplace.

Work-integrated learning courses, offered in many business qualifications, play a crucial role in developing employability skills. It is in the workplace that students’ practice, develop, and acquire new skills and dispositions. These learning opportunities are valued by students, employers and academics (Jackson, 2013, Patrick, 2008, Leong, 2013).

The research goal is to identify emerging employability skills required by business, government and NGOs for workplace success. The research methodology employed a systematic review of the literature on emerging business skills. Skills were identified, and categorised. Skills identified by this process were derived from current approaches to workplace collaboration grounded in agile, lean and project management practice.