The transition from school to employment can be both exciting and challenging. Young people need to prove they have the skills employers want, but figuring out how to effectively present those skills can be daunting.
This is where the Employability Skills Passport comes in!
The Employability Skills Passport is a tool designed to help young people understand, develop, and showcase both the personal and practical skills that will set them up for success in the job market. Working with HETA, Startingpoint has incorporated this evolution of the Record of Achievement onto their platform giving students, schools, apprenticeship providers and employers an easy way to record, display and access skill sets.
What is the Employability Skills Passport?
The Employability Skills Passport is a structured way for young people to document their growth and achievements as well as highlighting their employability skills. By reflecting on and recording skills gained through school, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and work experience, young people can build a portfolio that showcases their strengths and readiness for the workplace.
Each Local Authority has been given the choice to either use the core Employability Skills Passport or allow stakeholders to add further skills and requirements. Startingpoint is working with the Humberside Engineering Training Association (HETA) and have built the platform to reflect the 7 core skills that HETA consider the most important out of a possible 10.
The passport prompts students to reflect on 7 core skills, each with several sub-skills, that employers value. This includes:
- Application of digital technology
- Application of numeracy
- Business and customer awareness
- Communication and literacy
- Problem-solving
- Self-management
- Teamwork
Using the Startingpoint platform, students can click on each skill to access screens where they can note down relevant examples from their experience and upload documents such as certificates, videos or photos as evidence. They are encouraged to think critically about how they’ll use this information in applications, interviews, and conversations with potential employers, giving them a valuable head start in the job market.
Who is Behind the Employability Skills Passport?
The concept of the Employability Skills Passport has emerged from a wider movement in the UK to equip young people with the skills they need to thrive professionally. Inspired by the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance, which outline standards for career readiness, the passport has been developed by educational institutions, local councils, and national organisations. These groups aim to bridge the gap between education and the workplace by providing a framework that highlights practical skills – including teamwork, communication, and problem-solving – alongside academic qualifications.
How to Complete and Share Your Employability Skills Passport
Once a school or apprenticeship provider has set the student up with their profile they are then able to view the 7 core skills they need to evidence their progress. They will also be able to start listing their personal and practical skills, either choosing from the pre-populated list or adding their own.
Startingpoint works on a traffic light system and users will be able to quickly assess the progress of each core skill as they turn from red to orange and finally green once enough evidence has been uploaded.
How the Employability Skills Passport Helps Young People
The Employability Skills Passport empowers young people in multiple ways:
- Encourages Reflection on Key Skills
Completing the passport requires students to actively consider the skills they’ve gained and how these skills align with what employers look for. This reflection boosts confidence and self-awareness, helping students recognise areas of strength and those they’d like to improve. - Provides a Portfolio of Real-World Examples
Recording experiences in the Employability Skills Passport gives young people a portfolio of real-world examples to draw on in applications and interviews. Whether it’s a part-time job, volunteer experience, or school project, these examples make it easier to answer questions and demonstrate skills in a meaningful way. - Offers Flexibility in Documentation
The passport’s flexible format allows users to upload documents, photographs, and any other relevant materials, making it easy to create a comprehensive, visual record of their achievements. - Supports University and Apprenticeship Applications
Many university courses, apprenticeships, and training programmes now place a strong emphasis on practical, transferable skills alongside academic grades. The Employability Skills Passport enables students to present a well-rounded profile that reflects both academic and employability skills. - Assists in Interview Preparation
With a clear record of their achievements, young people are better prepared to provide specific, relevant examples during interviews. This can make a huge difference in standing out to employers and confidently presenting themselves as strong candidates. - Provides a Professional Document for Employers
The Employability Skills Passport can even be printed and left with employers at the end of an interview, giving them a tangible record of the candidate’s abilities and commitment to skill development.
Final Thoughts: Empowering the Next Generation With Startingpoint
The Employability Skills Passport is more than a checklist; it’s a tool for growth, confidence, and career readiness. Encouraging young people to take an active role in their skill development sets them on a path of lifelong learning and adaptability – crucial qualities in today’s dynamic job market. With the support of schools, employers, and communities, the Employability Skills Passport is poised to become a national standard that empowers young people to make their mark in the workforce.
