In the age of rapid economic development and changing workforce demands, noncognitive skills are “master skills” which serve as a foundation for and amplify cognitive and technical skills. Communication, integrity, and organizational soft skills are in top demand by employers, and building and strengthening these characteristics is an essential part of preparing a strong workforce for the future.

This episode of "Hardly Working" is a rebroadcast of an event surrounding the publication of AEI’s recently released edited volume “Minding our workforce: The role of noncognitive skills in career success.”

This is Part II of a two-part podcast series of this event. You will hear from Harry J. Holzer of Georgetown University on the application of noncognitive skills to the labor market and the limitations of what we know about noncognitive skills and noncognitive skill development. Then, Elisabeth Babcock of Economic Mobility Pathways will discuss noncognitive skills, mentoring, and coaching for low-income, welfare-dependent families. Part I featured Albert Cheng of the University of Arkansas and Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach of Northwestern University.

Mentioned During the Episode

Minding our workforce: The role of noncongnitive skills in career success

Minding our workforce live event at AEI

Episode 54- Minding Our Workforce, Part 1

Harry Holzer

Elizabeth Babcock, MCRP

Diane Schanzenback on Noncognitive Skills

Becoming a Man Chicago

EMPath Leadership Network