Developing soft skills

In a constantly changing world, soft skills complement knowledge by developing cooperation, reflection and the ability to act responsibly. They prepare us to become competent professionals and citizens aware of tomorrow's challenges.

© ULiège | G.Meuli

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he Soft Skills Unit contributes to university training by integrating the psychosocial dimensions of work with the learning of disciplinary knowledge.

It provides students with learning spaces to experiment with teamwork, adopting a reflective approach and developing a professional stance.

It also provides them with teaching resources to encourage sustainable reflection, while collaborating with supervisors through interventions and consultancy.

Teaching and training

The Soft Skills Unit offers students teaching methods based on experiential methodology and metacognition spaces, enabling them to gain practical experience of the psychosocial dimensions of work. The aim is to encourage analysis and reflexivity, while supporting the development of a professional position, in close connection with disciplinary contexts. In addition, the Cellule provides teaching resources designed to support students' ongoing, sustainable reflection. It also works closely with supervisors, providing both support and advice.

Research and innovation

The SSK team is also involved in the production of scientific content and research in the field of psychosocial skills. It is involved in the development of innovative pedagogical tools designed to enrich students' learning experience and support supervisors' practices.

Community services

Through its work, the unit helps to popularize, disseminate and raise awareness of societal issues. In particular, it informs and trains students/citizens in the scientific knowledge and systemic approach needed to understand the human dimensions inherent in any professional or professionalizing action.

Soft skills as pedagogical content

The approach proposed by the team considers soft skills as the ability of an individual, in a given context, to establish and maintain an efficient relationship with himself, others and his context.

Three major considerations underpin the Cellule's work: soft skills :

• represent the psychosocial dimension of professional action ;
• represent the power of individual and collective action;
• are phenomena that emerge from complex situations.