View category - Skills

Skills and Competencies Taxonomy 2023 Version 1.0

Developed capabilities that an individual must have to be effective in a job, role, function, task or duty.

Foundational Skills

Developed capabilities that facilitate the more rapid acquisition of other skills and knowledge.

Descriptor Definition
Oral Communication: Active Listening The capability to give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times.
Oral Communication: Oral Comprehension The capability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Communication: Oral Expression The capability to talk to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension The capability to understand written information presented through words, sentences, paragraphs, symbols, and images in work-related documents.
Writing The capability to communicate in writing by using written words, sentences, paragraphs, symbols, and images and adapted for the needs of the audience.
Numeracy The capability to understand, use and report numbers and other mathematical information presented through words, numbers, symbols, and graphics.
Digital Literacy The capability to understand and use digital devices and tools to obtain, exchange, create or process digital information in a secure manner.

Analytical Skills

Developed capability that people need to process information and data logically to produce useable results.

Descriptor Definition
Critical Thinking The capability to use logic and reasoning to question, discern, interpret and analyze various types of information to form an evidence-based conclusion or judgment.
Learning and Teaching Strategies The capability to select and use training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Decision Making The capability to analyze information among a set of alternatives, to evaluate potential outcome and choose the most appropriate solutions to achieve a predetermined objective.
Evaluation The capability to systematically assess products, services or processes using measurable indicators with the goal of ensuring or improving performance.
Requirements Analysis The capability to analyze needs and product requirements to create a design.
Problem Solving The capability to identify problems and review related information to develop solutions or feasible options to achieve the desired end state.
Researching and Investigating The capability to conduct studies and to examine information and data to increase knowledge, understand facts, find causes, test hypotheses and draw conclusions or make recommendations.
Systems Analysis The capability to determine how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Technical Skills

Developed capabilities that relate to the practical or mechanical side of an activity, the application of a set of technical processes and required know-how.

Descriptor Definition
Preventative Maintenance The capability to perform maintenance on equipment, devices, building or machinery to keep them in functional and to prevent damage or failures.
Equipment and Tool Selection The capability to choose between two or more types of tools, equipment or, machinery to perform a job.
Operation and Control The capability to maneuver and control operations of equipment, machines, vehicles or systems.
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment The capability to watch gauges, dials, digital displays or other indicators to ensure a machine or piece of equipment is working according to specifications.
Quality Control Testing The capability to conduct tests or inspections of prototypes, products, services, or processes to ensure their quality.
Repairing The capability to replace, restore or adjust defective or deficient components in equipment, machines, and technical systems and test for function, appearance, operation and safety.
Setting Up The capability to set up, adjust, install and assemble equipment, machines, parts or to prepare them for their functioning and use.
Troubleshooting The capability to determine causes of operating errors in equipment, machinery, or technological systems and decide how to resolve the issues.
Product Design The capacity to design and develop layouts for the construction of objects, equipment, machinery, structures, or engineering systems (excluding software and hardware).
Digital Production The capacity to design, develop, adapt, or integrate hardware, software applications, electronic devices or digital technologies while adhering to cybersecurity standards.

Resource Management Skills

Developed capabilities to plan, organize, monitor or control the resources to achieve goals.

Descriptor Definition
Change Management The capability to plan and implement strategies for effecting change, communicate the effects of change, and provide guidance and support to those affected by change.
Crisis Management The capability to establish a response plan for emergencies, to apply it and adapt it to situations while limiting the impact on people, customers, employees and the organisation.
Monitoring The capability to monitor and assess the performance of yourself, other individuals or the organization to make improvements or take corrective action.
Management of Financial Resources The capability to plan, organize, direct, control or monitor financial resources and activities and account for the use of theses resources to ensure their utilization are conform to the objectives and purposes.
Management of Material Resources The capability to plan and manage the purchase, inventory, warehousing, transportation, or distribution of products or materials and their use.
Management of Personnel Resources The capability to recruit, train, motivate, develop and direct employees, identify the best person for the tasks to be performed and establish their work objectives in relation to the objectives of the organization.
Operational Planning The capability to determine phases and steps, define activities and tasks, and establish schedules to complete objectives on time and within budget.
Projecting Outcomes The capability to estimate, predict and forecast results and outcomes of an action or a series of actions based on data and indicators.
Risk Management The capability to identify and assess risks and determine procedures to be followed to reduce or avoid their impact.
Strategic Planning The capability set goals according to organization’s needs, to develop strategies, and action plans to achieve.
Time Management The capability to manage one's own time and the time of others.

Interpersonal Skills

Developed capabilities used to work with people to achieve goals.

Descriptor Definition
Coordinating The capability to organize people or groups by adjusting activities in relation to others' activities so that they work effectively as a whole.
Instructing The capability to teach others knowledge, or how to do something.
Cross-Cultural Sensitivity The capability to communicate, interact and work appropriately with people from different cultural backgrounds, in recognition that diversity is being both between and within cultural groups and can be expressed in customs, values, and ways of thinking and acting.
Managing Conversation The capability to lead and facilitate dialogue between two or more people.
Negotiating The capability to participate in, or facilitate communication between parties, in order to resolve differences, and reach a mutually acceptable or viable agreement.
Persuading The capability to convince others to change their minds, beliefs, intentions or behaviours.
Social Perceptiveness The capability to be aware of others' reactions, unspoken communication, body language cues and feelings and discern the reasons behind their behaviours.

Endnotes

Descriptor Note
Decision Making In the ESDC-Skills for Success model, the descriptor "Decision Making" is grouped with the competency "Problem Solving". The definition of "Problem Solving" is: Your ability to identify, analyze, propose solutions, and make decisions. Problem solving helps you to address issues, monitor success, and learn from the experience. For example, we use this skill to make hiring decisions, select courses of action and troubleshoot technical failures.
Digital Literacy This is a descriptor found in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of “Digital” is: Your ability to use digital technology and tools to find, manage, apply, create and share information and content. For example, we use this skill to create spreadsheets, safely use social media, and securely make online purchases.
Oral Communication: Oral Comprehension In the ESDC-Skills for Success model, the "Communication" descriptor includes active listening, oral comprehension, and oral expression, which are found in the Taxonomy. The definition of "Communication" is: Your ability to receive, understand, consider, and share information and ideas through speaking, listening, and interacting with others. For example, we use this skill to listen to instructions, serve customers and discuss ideas.
Oral Communication: Oral Expression In the ESDC-Skills for Success model, the "Communication" descriptor includes active listening, oral comprehension, and oral expression, which are found in the Taxonomy. The definition of "Communication" is: Your ability to receive, understand, consider, and share information and ideas through speaking, listening, and interacting with others. For example, we use this skill to listen to instructions, serve customers and discuss ideas.
Critical Thinking In the ESDC-Skills for Success model, the descriptor "Critical Thinking" is grouped with the competency "Problem Solving". The definition of "Problem Solving" is: Your ability to identify, analyze, propose solutions, and make decisions. Problem solving helps you to address issues, monitor success, and learn from the experience. For example, we use this skill to make hiring decisions, select courses of action and troubleshoot technical failures.
Oral Communication: Oral Comprehension In the ESDC-Skills for Success model, the "Communication" descriptor includes active listening, oral comprehension, and oral expression, which are found in the Taxonomy. The definition of "Communication" is: Your ability to receive, understand, consider, and share information and ideas through speaking, listening, and interacting with others. For example, we use this skill to listen to instructions, serve customers and discuss ideas.
Oral Communication: Oral Expression In the ESDC-Skills for Success model, the "Communication" descriptor includes active listening, oral comprehension, and oral expression, which are found in the Taxonomy. The definition of "Communication" is: Your ability to receive, understand, consider, and share information and ideas through speaking, listening, and interacting with others. For example, we use this skill to listen to instructions, serve customers and discuss ideas.
Cross-Cultural Sensitivity This descriptor is similar to the item titled "Component-2”: Value diversity and inclusivity of others under the heading "Collaboration" in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of "Component-2" is: Understand that people from different cultures, backgrounds, and abilities can have different customs, values, and ways of thinking and acting.
Numeracy This is a descriptor found in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of "Numeracy" is: Your ability to find, understand, use, and report mathematical information presented through words, numbers, symbols, and graphics. For example, we use this skill to perform calculations, manage budgets, analyze and model data and make estimations.
Decision Making In the ESDC-Skills for Success model, the descriptor "Decision Making" is grouped with the competency "Problem Solving". The definition of "Problem Solving" is: Your ability to identify, analyze, propose solutions, and make decisions. Problem solving helps you to address issues, monitor success, and learn from the experience. For example, we use this skill to make hiring decisions, select courses of action and troubleshoot technical failures.
Oral Communication: Active Listening In the ESDC-Skills for Success model, the "Communication" descriptor includes active listening, oral comprehension, and oral expression, which are found in the Taxonomy. The definition of "Communication" is: Your ability to receive, understand, consider, and share information and ideas through speaking, listening, and interacting with others. For example, we use this skill to listen to instructions, serve customers and discuss ideas.
Critical Thinking In the ESDC-Skills for Success model, the descriptor "Critical Thinking" is grouped with the competency "Problem Solving". The definition of "Problem Solving" is: Your ability to identify, analyze, propose solutions, and make decisions. Problem solving helps you to address issues, monitor success, and learn from the experience. For example, we use this skill to make hiring decisions, select courses of action and troubleshoot technical failures.
Persuading "Aptitudes" and "abilities" are understood as synonyms by professionals in career and vocational counselling. For the purpose of consistency, the Taxonomy uses the term "Abilities".
Writing This is a descriptor found in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of "Writing" is: : Your ability to share information using written words, symbols, and images. For example, we use this skill to fill out forms and applications, and write emails, reports and social media posts.
Problem Solving This is a descriptor found in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of "Problem Solving" is: Your ability to identify, analyze, propose solutions, and make decisions. Problem solving helps you to address issues, monitor success, and learn from the experience. For example, we use this skill to make hiring decisions, select courses of action and troubleshoot technical failures.
Oral Communication: Active Listening In the ESDC-Skills for Success model, the "Communication" descriptor includes active listening, oral comprehension, and oral expression, which are found in the Taxonomy. The definition of "Communication" is: Your ability to receive, understand, consider, and share information and ideas through speaking, listening, and interacting with others. For example, we use this skill to listen to instructions, serve customers and discuss ideas.
Writing This is a descriptor found in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of "Writing" is: : Your ability to share information using written words, symbols, and images. For example, we use this skill to fill out forms and applications, and write emails, reports and social media posts.
Cross-Cultural Sensitivity This descriptor is similar to the item titled "Component-2”: Value diversity and inclusivity of others under the heading "Collaboration" in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of "Component-2" is: Understand that people from different cultures, backgrounds, and abilities can have different customs, values, and ways of thinking and acting.
Numeracy This is a descriptor found in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of "Numeracy" is: Your ability to find, understand, use, and report mathematical information presented through words, numbers, symbols, and graphics. For example, we use this skill to perform calculations, manage budgets, analyze and model data and make estimations.
Instructing In the first edition of the Taxonomy, Personal Abilities and Attributes were under the same category. Personal Attributes has now its own category.
Problem Solving This is a descriptor found in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of "Problem Solving" is: Your ability to identify, analyze, propose solutions, and make decisions. Problem solving helps you to address issues, monitor success, and learn from the experience. For example, we use this skill to make hiring decisions, select courses of action and troubleshoot technical failures.
Digital Literacy This is a descriptor found in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of “Digital” is: Your ability to use digital technology and tools to find, manage, apply, create and share information and content. For example, we use this skill to create spreadsheets, safely use social media, and securely make online purchases.
Reading Comprehension This is a descriptor found in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of "Reading" is: Your ability to find, understand, and use information presented through words, symbols, and images. For example, we use this skill to locate information on forms and drawings, and to read items such as emails, reports, news articles, blog posts and instructions.
Reading Comprehension This is a descriptor found in the ESDC-Skills for Success model. The definition of "Reading" is: Your ability to find, understand, and use information presented through words, symbols, and images. For example, we use this skill to locate information on forms and drawings, and to read items such as emails, reports, news articles, blog posts and instructions.
Reading Comprehension The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Oral Communication: Oral Expression The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different they have different purposes and target groups.
Oral Communication: Oral Comprehension The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Cross-Cultural Sensitivity The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Decision Making The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Critical Thinking The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Problem Solving In the ESDC-Skills for Success model, the descriptor "Problem Solving" includes "Critical Thinking" and "Decision Making," which are found in the Taxonomy.
Oral Communication: Active Listening The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Digital Literacy The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Problem Solving In the ESDC-Skills for Success model, the descriptor "Problem Solving" includes "Critical Thinking" and "Decision Making," which are found in the Taxonomy.
Decision Making The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Critical Thinking The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Numeracy The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Writing The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Reading Comprehension The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Oral Communication: Oral Comprehension The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Oral Communication: Active Listening The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Oral Communication: Oral Expression The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different they have different purposes and target groups.
Cross-Cultural Sensitivity The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Digital Literacy The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Writing The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Numeracy The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Problem Solving The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
Problem Solving The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy and Skills for Success definitions are slightly different because they have different purposes and target groups.
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