Personal transferable skills for the modern information professional: a discussion paper

Personal transferable skills are defined by authors as essen tial work skills which are not subject-specific and which, once learned, may be transferred to and applied in many different contexts. Employers require these skills in their graduate re cruits but consider that graduates are generally wanting in this respect. The importance of transferable skills to the role and functions of an information professional is such that lack of, or weakness in, such skills is certainly one factor in the success or otherwise of information graduates in the job market. Personal transferable skills of particular importance to the information professions are identified and communication skills certainly rank as most important. Some causes of the mis-match between current products of higher education and the require ments of employers are considered from both viewpoints. Skills are demonstrably so important to the information professions that Library and Information Studies departments must give them more emphasis. The question of the teaching of these skills is addressed and it is concluded that academics should take skills teaching far more seriously, paying attention to the views of the employers and the professional institutions.