The unbearable lightness of skill: the changing meaning of skill in UK policy discourses andsome implications for education and training

University students’ perceptions of their ‘ability selves’ and employability: a pilot study

“…In fact, the whole notion of ability has been extended to include a set of skills frequently indistinguishable from personal characteristics, behaviours and attitudes, which in the past would rarely have been conceived of as abilities at all (Payne, 2000).…”

“…These skills represent 'soft currencies' (Tomlinson, 2012), which are transferable to a wide range of employment contexts, i.e. can be carried luggage-like from job to job (Payne, 2000), and which help graduates become effective navigators and successful competitors in unstable labour markets.…”

The human side of skills and knowledge

“…Soft skills, it seems, carry with them few of the material advantages that technical skills confer on workers, at least at the disadvantaged end of the labour market. Despite repeated claims by employers that these skills are in short supply, pay rates for the sort of jobs in which they dominate are seldom high (Bolton 2004), perhaps because such work is predominantly undertaken by women, perhaps because even when social interactions are reasonably complex they are such a common feature of human interaction that these skills are considered ‗natural' or at least widespread (Payne 2006). Even the emotional pleasure workers get from engaging in emotion work can be questioned.…”

“…But as Payne (1999; notes, both work itself and employers' definitions of skill are changing and these changes have consequences for employees. Some thirty to fifty years ago ‗being skilled' involved technical capabilities or distinctive occupational knowledge, today the emphasis is on soft skills and personal qualities, although which soft skills and what exactly they involve actually varies widely.…”

“…Research in the ‗style labour markets' of the hospitality industry reveals a demand for a persona that is -passionate, stylish, confident, tasty, clever, successful and well-travelled‖ (Warhurst and Nickson 2001:14;Nickson et al 2001). Government documents recommend the development of positive attitudes to life and work, getting on with work mates, working as a team and getting information and advice (Payne 1999). While in the USA employers seek work attitude, punctuality, loyalty (Lafer 2004); friendliness, teamwork, ability to fit in (Moss and Tilly 1996); and dedication to work and discipline in work habits (Cappelli 1995).…”