Generic skills for the new economy

Abstract

This review of research into generic skills has been undertaken at a time of radical change in the workplace, economy and in society. Fundamental shifts such as the emergence of an information society and the knowledge-based new economy raise a broad spectrum of issues relating to the essential generic skills required by enterprises, individuals and communities for success in this environment. The review begins by defining the concept of generic skills and examines how sets of key competencies/key skills have developed in Britain, the United States and Australia. The review then considers the implications of key contextual shifts for generic skills, raising a range of conceptual issues which go to the character and role of generic skills and their link to human development over the life cycle. Overall, the review points to the increased significance of generic skills in the context of the knowledge-based new economy, and the associated pressures for lifelong learning and the maintenance of employability, with the consequent need to address the issues identified in this review as a priority concern.