Skill Building

So Why do I need to go to School Anyway

Later on in life people are often surprised to find that doors will open because of the skills they have learnt in school. Take typing for example, benefits include:

• Improving reading, spelling and punctuation
• Enhanced concentration skills
• Higher standard of presentation skills
• Being able to work independently
• The subjects as well as the universal skills you learn in school will provide you with flexibility when you come to find a job. The more skills, knowledge and experience you have the more employable you are.

Universal skills and qualities

Many of these skills are gained through schooling while many are naturally attained through playing sports, taking part in group activities or just living your life. When you leave school your skills can either be applied in the work place or they can be improved through further education and training.

Universal skills include:

• Being able to communicate with a diverse range of people, young and old.
• Working with others and in teams
• Solving problems
• Having a sense of responsibility
• Collecting analyzing and organizing information effectively
• Using ideas and information effectively
• Planning and organizing events and activities
• Working with technology
• Determination
• Using mathematical ideas and techniques
• Leadership
• Patience
• Having good morals

How to build on your skills

Do you have all the skills that have been listed above? If so how you would use these skills in everyday life? If you feel that you don’t have some skills, here are some ways that you will be able to build on your skills outside of the classroom:

• Do an on-line course. The internet is full of exciting new training programs.
• Find a business that you would be interested in working for, contact them and ask to do some work experience.
• Volunteer for a charity or business.
• Find out about challenging programs offered in Canada such as Katimavik.
• Take up a different sport – this is a great way to learn about team building, leadership, strategy and communication.
• Learn common computer programs.
• Go to another country and be an exchange student.
• Learn another language.

Back to Top