More ‘Soft Skills’ Training Needed

More ‘Soft Skills’ Training Needed

Media release
17 November 2010

New Zealand companies need to boost the provision and efficacy of staff training in the area of people-oriented, or so-called ‘soft’, skills, according to a recent survey of finance and accounting professionals by Robert Half International.

The lack of training in soft skills fed directly into areas where skills are short in NZ finance and accounting professionals, the recent Robert Half Workplace Survey found. About a fifth (22 per cent) of respondents who recognise that there is a skills shortage cited communications skills as missing, closely followed by hands-on experience (20 per cent)*. Also featuring prominently as lacking were interpersonal, management and leadership skills.

The survey reported the most support recorded in technical areas. Four-fifths of those surveyed said they were provided with technical knowledge and skills training and that training was at least somewhat effective.

Conversely, one third of those surveyed said their organisations offered no training at all in business writing and presentation or negotiation skills, and around one fifth of firms did not provide any training or development of leadership or team building skills.

Megan Alexander, general manager of Robert Half New Zealand said “Communication and negotiation are key to anyone who wants to move up the career ladder. Training budgets will take a while to recover to pre-recession levels, but companies ignore the need to develop the soft skills of their employees at their peril.”

“Those who aspire to management level, in particular, need to appreciate that having a great work ethic and encouraging one’s colleagues will set you apart from the pack, allowing you to excel in your position and organisation. Professionals in the 21st century need a full range of skills, and not just be technically proficient at what they do.”

It’s not just companies who believe development is needed – employees also recognise the need for soft skills development over and above just retaining a job. The Workplace Survey also found that one-third of Kiwi finance and accounting professionals have been actively looking for a job in the past 12 months. While they are actively looking, there are some things employers can do to encourage them to stay.

What employers can do:
• 28 per cent of respondents suggested offering additional training
• 35 per cent said offer promotions or better career development opportunities

From the four countries surveyed, it seems New Zealanders are the most settled. One fifth of the Kiwi respondents said they’re happy in their current role, the highest in the region by a wide margin. This equates to 22 per cent versus an Asia-Pacific average of 13 per cent from the four countries surveyed – New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The Robert Half 2010 Workplace Survey questioned more than 1,600 finance, accounting, HR and executive-level managers from four countries, including 521 from New Zealand. It was carried out in August this year.

*Respondents were able to select more than one option.

ENDS

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