Turning Failure into Action report, a large percentage of young people preparing to enter the workforce over the next two decades are significantly lacking in the “soft” or applied skills — such as teamwork, decision-making, and communication — that will help them become effective employees and managers. In addition, survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE), the top characteristics looked for in new hires by 276 employer respondents were all soft skills: communication ability, a strong work ethic, initiative, interpersonal skills, and teamwork. Lastly, the Indiana Business Research Center (IBRC) found that while credentials (degrees and certificates) are important, it is the development of soft skills (those that are more social than technical) that is critical to developing a strong, vibrant workforce
