The General Manager for the Tema Region of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ing Emmanuel Akinie, has reiterated the need for the conscious development of Soft Skills as a major contributor to one’s career growth.
He made this remark as the Guest Speaker at the eighth Certification and Exhibition ceremony of the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Ashaiman.
Speaking on the theme: ‘Development of Soft Skills and Vocational Technical Skills: A prior requirement to the labour market entry’, Ing Akinie shared that in his career as an engineer, he had come to appreciate the major role Soft Skills had played in his growth and advancement.
He shared that “technical skills, which are also sometimes referred to as hard skills, are job-specific knowledge and expertise that are needed to perform specific tasks, whilst Soft Skills are interpersonal and behavioural skills that help you to work well with other people and develop your career.”
Ing Akinie, in the light of that, admonished the students to ensure cordial working relationships wherever they find themselves, and to live in harmony with others.
He shared how, despite their technical competence, they could progress further with Soft Skills, because they would need others’ inputs to propel themselves.
He illustrated that in the Ghanaian cultural settings, for example, greeting was considered a very important cultural and a social issue, such that if one decides not to greet their colleague at the workplace, it could be seen as they were ignoring their bosses and colleagues, and this would go to their disadvantage.
The Guest Speaker outlined effective and clear communication as much as possible, problem-solving, empathy and the ability to work in a team environment as some points which could help with the development of Soft Skills.
“Advancements are happening around us always. For one to stay relevant, therefore, one must ensure that they are learning new knowledge and ways of managing tasks. So, be humble, honest and be ready to serve with all humility,” he concluded.
