Why transferable skills matter more than ever
At RNN Group, we believe education should prepare learners not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of opportunities.
As we mark National Careers Week this March, we are proud to champion transferable skills as the foundation of employability, progression and resilience.
To ensure our students leave not just qualified but career-ready, we’ve created a new Skills for Employment programme where learners achieve gold standard certification in ten key transferable skills.
So, here’s a look at what transferrable skills are and why they matter more than ever in modern workplaces.
What are transferable skills?
Transferrable skills, or employability skills, are what truly shape long-term career success. They’re the skills that travel with you throughout your career and can be applied across various industries, job roles and career stages.
Transferrable skills include:
- Communication
- Creativity
- Critical thinking
- Decision making
- Leadership, adaptability or flexibility
- Problem solving
- Proactive and shows initiative
- Resilience
- Self-management, hard-working and reliable
- Time-management
What is the Skills for Employment programme
Across our Colleges, students are developing industry knowledge, technical expertise and hands-on experience. But employers consistently tell us that what makes the real difference in their workforces is these transferrable skills that can’t always be taught in classrooms.
That’s why we’ve developed our Skills for Employment programme where students from across our Colleges can work towards certification in a choice of ten transferable skills.
To achieve certification, students need to have three lots of evidence per skill from real contexts, either from their time in college or on work placement. This approach means students can show measurable, verified development in the skills that employers value most. Learners are building a portfolio or proof rather than just claims.
By combining technical excellence with employability skills certification, we are ensuring our students leave us confident, credible and ready to succeed wherever their career journey takes them next.
Six ways transferable skills improve career prospects
1. They increase employability
Employers aren’t just recruiting qualifications; they’re looking for capable, work-ready individuals.
Whichever industry you work in, transferrable skills will always be valuable, particularly communication, leadership, problem solving and time management. By evidencing them in real settings, our students show they are ready to contribute from day one and are capable beyond just one specific job function.
Example:
A Level 3 or T Level Business student who can demonstrate strong communication skills by speaking with customers and supporting them with a query on a work placement immediately stands out compared to someone who only lists “good communicator” on their CV.
2. They make career changes easier
Careers rarely follow a straight line. Many people change roles, switch sectors, move into management, or even start their own business.
Transferable skills act as a bridge between opportunities. These skills create flexibility and reduce the risk of being seen as inexperienced when stepping into something new.
Example:
A Health and Social Care student moving into a supervisory role can draw on leadership, organisation and communication skills developed during placement, even if the new role involves different technical responsibilities.
3. They future-proof careers
Technology, industries and job titles evolve quickly and those technical skills you learn can soon become outdated as tools and systems change.
What doesn’t change is the value of human capability. Skills such as critical thinking, adaptability and leadership remain relevant regardless of technological advances. They help you stay competitive in a fast-changing labour market.
Example:
A Digital student may learn specific software this year, but in five years that platform may change. Their ability to learn quickly, solve problems and work effectively in a team will still be essential.
4. They strengthen promotion and leadership potential
Technical expertise may secure a first role, but its transferable skills that will drive career advancement into supervisory and management roles.
When considering promotions, employers look for people who can communicate clearly, make sound decisions, motivate others and manage projects. If you can demonstrate these skills, employers are more likely to view you as leadership material.
Example:
An Engineering apprentice who demonstrates initiative by leading a small improvement project on placement is already showing leadership potential, something employers actively look for when considering future progression.
5. They improve interview performance
Transferrable skills are what will make you stand out from other candidates who only focus on technical qualifications.
Our Skills for Employment programme ensures students have a portfolio of real evidence to draw from, making applications more compelling and credible. Students who can evidence transferable skills perform more strongly at interview because they can give clear, structured examples that show your impact beyond your qualifications and demonstrate your versatility.
Example:
Rather than saying, “I work well in a team” a student can explain how they coordinated a group assignment, resolved a disagreement and met a tight deadline, demonstrating teamwork, communication and time management in action.
6. They build professional confidence
Understanding and developing your transferable skills builds self-awareness and confidence.
Confidence fuels ambition and ambition drives achievement. Students who recognise their strengths are more likely to take on leadership roles, network confidently, negotiate effectively and present their value clearly.
Example:
A Construction student who has evidenced problem-solving and initiative during placement is more likely to volunteer for responsibility on-site and position themselves as someone ready to progress.
How to take part in Skills for Employment
If you’re a current RNN student who thinks they would benefit from taking part in the Skills for Employment programme, speak to your course tutor for more information or visit your campuses Skills for Employment web page.
Find out what’s happening around College on National Careers Week.