Skip all page navigation and go to page content. 
Texas LEARNS logo.
6005 Westview Dr. | Houston, Texas | 77055-5419 | 713-696-0700 | 1-866-696-4233

Skills Wheel Long Description

The wheel provides a common language and understanding of the basic skills, knowledge, and competencies adults need to obtain or maintain jobs and advance to higher paying jobs. The skills shown in the wheel are:

Basic Workplace Skills

  1. Locates and uses resources
  2. Applies mathematical concepts and applications
  3. Reads with understanding
  4. Writes clearly and concisely
  5. Speaks clearly and concisely
  6. Listens with understanding
  7. Observes critically
  8. Uses technology

Basic Employability Skills

  1. Demonstrates effective interpersonal relations
  2. Demonstrates self-mamagement strategies
  3. Works in teams
  4. Solves problems
  5. Makes decisions

Basic Workplace Knowledge

  1. Applies health and safety concepts
  2. Understands processes or product and service
  3. Demonstrates quality consciousness
  4. Understands finances
  5. Works with organizational culture and structure

Work Readiness Skills Pyramid Description

The Work Readiness Credential Profile represents a subset, relevant to entry-level jobs, of the overall knowledge and abilities workers need in order to succeed in the 21st century workplace; as such, it should be seen as just the first step toward attaining lifelong career goals. The pyramid shows increasingly specialized work-related skills building on a foundation of lifelong learning skills.

The base of the pyramid is Life Long Learning Skills, the next level up contains the three skills Basic Workplace Skills, Basic Knowledge Skills, and Basic Employability Skills. The next leve up is a blue band with the words Equipped for the Future Work Readiness Credential. The next level up is Basic Work-related Technical Skills. The next level up is Advanced Technical Skills. The next level up is divided into two sections which are, Advanced Business Skills and Advanced Interpersonal Skills. The top level is Advanced Leadership Skills.

The bottom two levels fall under the National Work Readiness Credential. The next two levels fall under Occupational Certifications and the top levels fall under AA, and BA degrees.

There is an arrow to the left pointing up showing the increase in skills related to the increase in education

What New Workers in Entry-level Jobs Need to be Able to Do Long description

THE EFF WORK READINESS PROFILE

What New Workers in Entry Level Jobs Need to Be Able to Do
New workers need to be able to use these EFF Skills...
    Communication Skills
    • Speak So Others Can Understand
    • Listen Actively
    • Read With Understanding
    • Observe Critically
    Interpersonal Skills
    • Cooperate With Others
    • Resolve Conflict and Negotiate
    Decision Making Skills
    • Use Math to Solve Problems and Communicate
    • Solve Problems and Make Decisions
    Lifelong Learning Skills
    • Take Responsibility for Learning
    • Use Information and Communications Technology
...well enough to successfully carry out these critical entry-level tasks*:
    Acquire and Use Information
    • Acquire, use, and share information accurately and in a timely manner in order to:
      • Get work done.
      • Identify appropriate procedures.
      • Respond to requests from internal and external customers.
    • Read and understand information presented in written form well enough to get the job done.
    • Communicate in spoken English well enough to get the job done.
    • Ask for clarification or help from supervisor or appropriate others when needed.
    Use Technology
    • Learn how to use appropriate computer-based technology to get the job done most efficiently.
    • Be able to use a telephone, pager, radio, or other device to handle and process communication.
    • Make sure that all equipment is in safe working order.
    • Use equipment properly to minimize damage to equipment or injury to oneself or others.
    Use Systems
      Understand Systems
      • Understand how one's own performance can impact the success of the organization.
      • Comply with organizational policies and procedures in a consistent manner.
      • Pay attention to company guidelines regarding:
        • Personal and professional interactions.
        • Appropriate dress.
        • Health and safety.
      • Follow established procedures for handling urgent situations or emergencies.
      • Keep informed about quality and health standards set by external sources, including unions, OSHA, and other national and international organizations.
      • Go to the appropriate person/source when approval is needed for work-related activities.
      Monitor and Correct Performance
      • Monitor quality of own work.
      • Accept and use constructive criticism for continuous improvement of own job performance.
      • Keep track of changes within the organization and adapt to them.
    Work With Others
      Diversity
      • Work as part of a team to develop and achieve mutual goals and objectives.
      • Develop and maintain good working relations with coworkers, supervisors, and others throughout the organization, regardless of background or position:
        • Be respectful and open to the thoughts, opinions, and contributions of others.
        • Avoid use of language or comments that stereotype others.
      Negotiate
      • Work through conflict constructively.
      Serve Clients
      • Address customer comments, questions, concerns and objections with direct, accurate, and timely responses.
      • Verify customer or client identification to validate forms, provide services, or carry out procedures.
    Know How to Learn
    • Accept help from supervisors and coworkers.
    • Learn new/additional skills related to your job.
    • Learn about the products/ services of the organization.
    Responsibility
    • Demonstrate willingness to work.
    • Take responsibility for completing one's own work assignments:
      • Accurately.
      • On time.
      • To a high standard of quality.
      • Even when the work is physically or mentally challenging.
      • As efficiently as possible, to minimize costs, rework, and production time.
    • Show initiative in carrying out work assignments.
    Integrity
    • Demonstrate integrity.
    • Maintain confidentiality, as appropriate, about matters encountered in the work setting.
    Self Management
    • Display responsible behaviors at work:
      • Avoid absenteeism.
      • Demonstrate promptness.
      • Maintain appropriate grooming and hygiene.
      • Do not attend to personal business when on the job, except in emergencies.
      • Manage stressful situations effectively.
    Allocate Resources
    • Use basic math well enough to get the job done.
    • Manage time effectively to:
      • Get the work done on schedule.
      • Prioritize tasks.
      • Make sure that urgent tasks are completed on time.
    • Make sure that materials, tools, and equipment are available to do the job effectively.
    Solve Problems
    • Cope with a work situation or tasks that change frequently:
      • Demonstrate flexibility.
      • Accept new or changed work responsibilities with a positive attitude.
      • Adjust to unexpected problems and situations by seeking advice from a supervisor or appropriate others.
    • Identify actual or potential problems related to one's own work:
      • Report them in a timely manner, according to company policy.
      • Help to fix them.

*Tasks are organized based on SCANS categories.