When they enter the world of work, they may find themselves floundering. The kinds of skills measured by WorkKeys tests are very, very important. They are the skills that enable a person to learn quickly and come up to speed on a new set of job-specific skills. They are the skills that make a person a good lifetime learner. Let's go down the line.
Teamwork is another critically important skill.
Listening and Locating Information measure the ability to process information and determine what information you need to solve a particular problem. Observation is critically linked to the ability to solve problems, because you need to be able to see a problem clearly in order to solve it. Applied Mathematics , the ability to handle quantitative information, and Applied Technology , the ability to understand and make use of technology, are also of crucial importance in most of today's good jobs. These eight skills are all, in my view, foundational skills that determine a person's ability to upgrade his or her job-specific skills. They are the underlying skills that people need in order to adapt to new job requirements.