Manage Pathways & Portfolios

Transversal skills and competences (TCSs)

Transversal skills and competences (TSCs) are learned and proven abilities which are commonly seen as necessary or valuable for effective action in virtually any kind of work, learning or life activity. They are “transversal” because they are not exclusively related to any particular context (job, occupation, academic discipline, civic or community engagement, occupational sector, group of occupational sectors, etc.).

Under the framework of Be Creative project, we are focusing on 16 TSCs, as shown below:

TSC 1:

Being able to analyse and process information is an essential and fundamental skill which enables construction of new knowledge on both content and method, to give the possibility to interact with others and, above all, to know where one stands including a better understanding of one’s immediate and distant environment.

TSC 2:

Planning and organising are essential for the success of a project, and this involves many other cross-cutting skills. Being able to organise means being able to clearly define the different tasks to be carried out, but also to prioritise them. This skill implies a good time management, an estimation of the result to obtain, and the ability to adapt and to manage emotions. When this activity is performed in a group, it implies good communication, awareness, and collective commitment.

TSC 3:

Being able to solve problems is essential for successful action. Problem solving can only work once the problem(s) have been clearly identified and analysed. Once the problem has been clearly identified, it is then necessary to think about possible solutions, to be able to think ahead and to get help, if necessary, in order to finally make the right decisions.

TSC 4:

The importance of creating and innovating in the context of the modern world becomes vital, especially in regard to the socio-cultural and professional integration of de-affiliated youth. Individuals today are entering the labour market during a dynamic period; and they will need to integrate with the local socio-cultural expectations in their personal and professional life. Individuals that can think in a critical, flexible, iterative, holistic, curious and problem-solving capacity demonstrate key skills and competences relating to creativity and innovation that can assist them in their integration.

TSC 5:

Being able to meet the routine requirements of a task is a necessary ability to perform any action. This ability implies the necessary understanding of the instructions of the task to be performed, the ability to organise one’s time and work space to perform the action and performing the action, the task

TSC 6:

“Acting according to values”, also sometimes referred to as “conscientiousness” (Chernyshenki, Kankaras & Drasgow, 2018) or “work ethic” (NRC, 2012) is a competence that refers to an individual being able to relate their tasks and responsibilities with their own personal social and organizational values (ESCO, 2021). This helps an individual ensure that they are acting in a consistent and ethically accountable way. Important to note that when referring to this particular competence, it is strictly referring to values that can be learned and developed and not fixed moral values.

TSC 7:

Acting independently and showing initiative is a set of skills, attitudes and behaviours characterized by its self-starting nature, its proactive approach and by being persistent in overcoming difficulties.

TSC 8:

Life consists of ups and downs, and there are times you encounter problems. Negative factors in life can affect you, and it is essential to manage them in a way that doesn’t stop you from functioning.It is important to not take responsibility for something that isn’t your problem or out of your control. To deal with negative factors it is important to define the problem and find a way to manage it.

TSC 9:

Change is inevitable and accepting change is important because society is ever evolving. It is not possible to stop time, so it is important to adapt. Not all changes are bad, but they can seem so if you resist them. Change can be stressful and frightening, so it is crucial to learn methods of coping with changes.

TSC 10:

Engaging in self-development is the competency that includes both the intrapersonal skills of self-awareness, self-management, willingness to learn and reflection and the interpersonal skills of collaborating with others to elicit feedback and support during the learning process. Each of the interrelated components plays an essential role.

TSC 11:

Being able to convey and exchange information is an essential and fundamental skill that allows one to speak formally and informally for different purposes, to listen to others and to respond to their contributions or concerns. Communication is the process of establishing connection or link between two points for information exchange or practically the process of conveying and exchanging information at a distance. Whether human beings or two systems, communication involves the transfer of information from a sender to receiver and therefore it allows one to explain ideas, to report them and to use questioning techniques.

TSC 12:

Respect is a concept that refers to the ability to value and honour someone else’s words and actions, regardless of whether we agree with or share all they do. It’s about putting up with the other person and trying not to offend them. Respecting someone does not include judging them based on their beliefs, behaviours, or reflections.

Taking into account the rights, views, wants, experience, and competence of others, encouraging people to share their thoughts, and treating them with civility and politeness are all vital and key requirements for everyone.

TSC 13:

Supporting others consists of ensuring that individuals who lack abilities, competencies, or confidence get constructive, empathetic, or sensitive assistance when they request or demonstrate a need for help. This skill is necessary in all environments surrounding a person: family, friendship, work, sports, etc.

TSC 14:

Collaborating with others in teams and networks consists of organizing, carrying out, and assessing collaborative actions with partners or teams openly and on mutually agreed conditions, while demonstrating respect for the abilities, experiences, and contributions of others.

TSC 15:

Being able to manage and lead others means being able to involve people in the realisation of a project. This TSC has two dimensions for the person identified as a leader to manage and lead a team: the implementation and management of the project & leading people by developing team spirit. As a manager, the leader will have to develop an attitude and behaviour based on essential qualities of communication and strategic skills.

TSC 16:

Negotiation is bargaining process between two or more parties seeking to discover a common ground and reach an agreement to settle a matter of mutual concern or resolve a conflict. Conciliation is a process where a commissioner meets with parties in a dispute and explores ways to settle it by agreement.

The aim is that the Educator and the Learners will communicate and interact through this Educational Learning Hub.

Each Learner, with the invaluable guidance of an Educator, will come across the suggested TSCs that better suit his/her needs and together they will choose and define a pathway which will allow them to achieve their goals. A pathway is a step in their roadmap or a method of reaching the destination or the life they wish to live.

On the journey to reach their goals, learners will create their portfolio, where they can share their journey with family, friends, and possible employers.

The first link shows how to make an online portfolio: How to make portfolio site – Be creative! project

The second link shows how to fill it with content like the TSC pathway trainee has worked on: How to add content – Be creative! project .

In our project, the focus of the TSCs is on four thematic axes:

(e.g., being more active and social and getting more new friends.)

(e.g., getting a new job, getting a better paid job, getting a job you like more, etc.)

(e.g., learning strategies for being more satisfied in a job, avoiding conflict, etc.)

(e.g., getting relevant education to get the job that you dream about instead of getting stuck in a dead end job, getting further education to get a promotion, etc.)

Take the time and look the Pathways

IO3 Life and career pathways (617 downloads )