The 2010 Critical Skills Survey conducted by the American Management Association (www.amanet.org) reflects the view of American businesses that critical skills education. The Study proposes that:
- We need a workforce fully equipped with skills beyond the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic (the three Rs), specifically the “four C’s” 21st century skills: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
- Employees need to think critically, solve problems, innovate, collaborate, and communicate more effectively—and at every level within the organization.
- It is easier to develop these skills in students than it is to develop them in experienced workers, suggesting that students and recent graduates may be more open to new ideas, versus experienced workers with established work patterns and habits.