Soft skills can be described as a combination of people skills, social skills and communication skills. This refers to all the personal attributes that contributes to a person’s emotional intelligence This enable people to navigate their environment, work well with others, perform well, and achieve their goals with complementing hard skills. Hard skills on the other hand refers to a person’s technical skills and the ability to carry out certain tasks. There’s a common saying going around that says that hard skills will land you that interview, but it requires soft skills to nail the interview.

The staff at Kotze, Low Swanepoel has undertaken to receive training every Friday with the assistance of Online Academy from succeed. There is a template that indicates the expected courses to enrol for according to each level of seniority. Prior to presenting group sessions, the training coordinator explores the staff needs and requirements to determine the appropriate modules, elements, and time frame necessary to deliver a program customized to suit the specific needs of KLS. The results are evaluated to determine if the same training needs to be repeated. This enables all the employees at KLS to learn the various soft skills needed to ensure they can manage their time effectively, reduce stress and contribute to the successful performance of the services delivered by KLS.

Attendance to the group sessions assists the office in going through specifically chosen modules in a fun, yet educational manner. Attending group sessions removes the responsibility of the individual to do the courses on his/her own. The directors of KLS made it clear that attendance in group or individual sessions are compulsory. Courses are also individually assigned to certain staff members according to their type of work in the office which will assist him or her to be more effective and skilled.

There are various benefits offered by soft skill development. This will ultimately lead to the ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, employers, clients and customers, friends and family members. Time management, organisational skills and goal setting will be improved. The growth of internal leadership will help to advance teamwork, creativity and productivity. The employees of KLS are also better enabled while receiving soft skills development in terms of self-confidence and self-management. While working in a favourable group setting brainstorming and problem solving is also greatly increased.