Soft Skills program for students
The aim of the Soft Skills program is to facilitate students understanding of soft skills and why they are an important part of the world of work.
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We are passionate about helping as many students as possible over the next decade, if not longer, and therefore aim to deliver this course in government schools, at very little or no cost. I work with schools to prepare students to develop character traits that support situational awareness and enhance their ability to work in harmony with others.

The importance of soft skills for school-age children is enormous, both regarding their studies and their future careers. Students who recognize the importance of soft skills as soon as possible can complete their studies more successfully, along with their obligations more smoothly, make more acquaintances that may prove useful in the future, and better present themselves to their peers and the wider community.

What age students is the Soft Skills program aimed at?
The optimum cohort is those about to transition from primary to secondary school, or from fifth heading to lower sixth or tertiary. The other factor highlighted is that in term three, form three would be an option as they may have less exam pressure at this time.

How long is the program?
The original program has been created to run over 12 weeks, with each session being ninety minutes. The school version will be an adaptation but will cover all topics, and the students’ complete sessions on the following topics:
  • Communication
  • Active Listening
  • Teamwork
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Time Management
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Responsibility and Accountability
  • Creativity and Collaboration 
  • Conflict Resolution

Why are Soft Skills essential in today’s society?
In a 2019 interview, the BSTU (Barbados Secondary Teachers Union) Leader, Mary Ann Redman, suggested that “a shift from a purely educational focus was needed”, and “there must be a focus on the soft skills: interpersonal skills, values education, conflict resolution, respect for self, for others, for the environment and for our nation”.

In January 2023, our Prime Minister “The Right Honorable” Mia Mottley stated during a Community Mediation Workshop at the Barbados Community College that, “a major objective is focusing on the social and emotional development of the students”.

This Soft Skills course will go some way towards achieving just that. 
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Please contact me today if you're interested in the soft skills workshop for your students.
What some of our previous participants had to say:
YMCA program coordinator
“The course was well conceptualized and implemented.  I commend the tutor's dedication for fully committing to the course and giving his all within each session. He had a great connection with the participants and his attitude never wavered. Mr. Forde can take great credit for the transformation of the students throughout the overall program. I am eagerly looking forward to doing it all over again with a new group”.

Students who completed the Soft Skills course as part of the YMCA Young Leaders’ program said:
“It was a fun course; I learnt a lot about things I didn’t know.”

 “I would tell them to do the course because they can learn a lot from the course that they can use in later life.”
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 “I would say it was really fun and educational!”
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