INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOFT SKILLS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF UKRAINE’S INTEGRATION INTO THE EUROPEAN EDUCATION AREA

Abstract

The paper is focused on the analysis of soft skills as basic competences for future professional success. During the study the concept of “soft skills” in the educational terminology of European countries and Ukraine was analysed; the importance of formation and developing soft skills for successful future professional development was justified; the directions of educational policy in EU countries and Ukraine to ensure the formation and development of soft skills of secondary school students were found out. As a result of research it was made the conclusion about the importance of soft skills formation and development in secondary school students for their future successful professional realization. It was offered the strategic directions on innovation approaches for the New Ukrainian School in formulation and development of soft skills at secondary school in the context of Ukrainian’s integration into European and World education. In consequence of literature review it was determined that over one-third of skills (35%) were considered important in that days’ workforce would have changed over the next five years (the World Economic Forum, 2016). Today, employers look for job candidates who not only have professional skills in a particular field, but also understand how to make difficult decisions and demonstrate leadership skills. It is concluded that in an effort to prepare the younger generation for their future successful careers, educational institutions must ensure both the formation of professional skills (“ hard skills”) and the development of “soft skills”, not limited to communication skills, because “soft skills” are also the ability to listen, work in a team, think critically, set goals and achieve them, the ability to resolve conflict situations, etc. “Hard skills” and “soft skills” in combination with motivation and personality form a pyramid of development of the future competitive professional. Career success depends on so much more than students’ subject-matter knowledge and expertise. Based on the European experience the policy makers, educators and parents in Ukraine have been recommended to collaborate to ensure that each child’s school experience fosters the social and personal skills that will ensure success when he or she enters the workforce.