Components and Psychological Characteristics of Soft Skills

Abstract

The development of soft skills is in the focus of attention of the world's largest companies and organizations, in particular, the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD), the World Economic Forum (WEF). This is due to the fact that geopolitical and technological trends determine the skills that future specialists need to meet the requirements of the labor market. In the conditions of technological development of a dynamically developing modern society, radical changes in world education, expressed in the formation of a single educational space, the needs of the subjects of education have strengthened the requirements for higher education. As part of this process, new educational standards, a new system for assessing the quality of education are being introduced, modules of educational programs integrated with production are being developed. This, in turn, contributes to the search for the closest and optimal ways to form soft skills of graduates of higher educational institutions to real working conditions. Interdisciplinary direction plays a crucial role in almost all professional fields. The problem of the development of soft skills since the middle of the last century has been dealt with at various times by many scientists who consider and study the concept of soft skills in various aspects. This article, presented in this regard, substantiates the relevance of the formation of soft skills in future specialists. The definitions of the concepts of skill, soft skill, which have been studied and formulated in the fundamental research works of research scientists, are given. Classifications of scientists from far and near abroad by components of soft skills and their psychological component are systematized in the form of tables. As a result of the theoretical analysis, the authors identified the main components of soft skills, such as emotional intelligence, communication skills, critical thinking skills and leadership. The psychological features of the components of soft skills and their relationship are determined. The most important factors of the information and communication technologies (ICT) market are defined as technological development, continuous expansion of the ICT space, the need for a high level of soft skills. The importance of the formation of soft skills among graduates of higher educational institutions is shown.