2. Competencies Defined
• Competencies are the knowledge, skills and attributes you can develop in every
aspect of your life. As more and more supervisors focus on competencies in the hiring
process, successful candidates will be those who can communicate their competencies
in their résumés and at interviews.
3. What makes up a competency?
A skill: is about doing something well (it is usually developed through training
and practice)
Knowledge: is the information that you know. (theories, facts and procedures,
and applying that knowledge in the right situation)
Attribute: is an inherent characteristic or quality and is often expressed through
what you think, do or feel.
= Competency
4. What's the point of understanding the 10 core
competencies Co-op teaches?
If students can describe their competencies, they will have an advantage as
they apply for a wide range of opportunities.
They can describe their competencies in their applications, résumés, cover
letters and talk about them during their interviews.
5. Overview of the Survey
(5 questions)
1. What employment readiness skills do you believe co-op teaches our students?
2. Where should these skill sets be taught or introduced to better prepare students for their respective work-
terms?
3. Out of the employment readiness skills, are there any you believe Co-op should provide more of? (feel
free to explain)
4. What interpersonal communication skills does Co-op teach its students?
5. Out of the Interpersonal and communication skills, which do you believe would be beneficial to teach
students more of? (feel free to explain)
6. Results of the Survey
(1.Employment Readiness)
These were the top scoring results in order of most selected:
1. Résumé writing
2. Interviewing
3. Job search skills
4. Dependability
7. 2. Where should these skills be taught or introduced to better prepare students for their
respective work-terms?
1st highest 2nd highest 3rd highest
Interviewing Personal appearance Team work
Job search skills Self-awareness Enthusiasm for work
Resume writing Being organized Empathy
Social Media Adaptation to formal
Dependability Accepts suggestions..
Attendance and punctuality
Planning
Linkedin
Networking
Compliance with policies
8. Prior to Work-Term 2
Only two skills were ranked by the staff for implementation prior to work-term 2.
1. Leadership
2. Strategic thinking
9. 3.What should Co-op teach more of in terms of employment
readiness skills? (open ended question)
The two most common answers were:
1. Business Etiquette (social media, and e-mail)
2. Communication Skills
10. 4.What interpersonal and communication skills does
Co-op teach its students?
Of the 11 people surveyed the most popular choice was:
Reflecting (6 out of 11)
11. 5.Out of the Interpersonal and communication skills, which do you believe
would be beneficial to teach students more of?
(open ended question)
The most frequent responses was Communication
With emphasis on ‘barriers to communication’, ‘asking questions’, and ‘negotiation’.
The second most frequent was Conflict Resolution
Followed by Emotional Intelligence, with emphasis on ‘self awareness’.
13. Conclusion
Furthermore, the results show that our staff believe ‘Communication Skills’ would
be beneficial learnings for co-op students.
And finally,
Clarification is needed on if ‘Reflecting’ can be considered a core competency.
14. Looking for Volunteers
A small committee to help brain storm this with me (your input is valuable)
To discuss the results and what is important for Co-op
Any volunteers?
