A new qualification in employment skills is being launched across all job sectors to help staff be more effective in the workplace.

The Level 2 Certificate in Employability Skills is being developed by awarding body and assessment specialist, Education Development International (EDI), www.ediplc.com, and is aimed at both current employees and individuals wishing to enter the job market.

Available from April 2008, the certificate enables learners to gain a better understanding of the skills required both to enter employment and to work to their full potential within their role. Covering the transferable skills necessary within the job market, the certificate is not specific to any sector and is suitable for a wide range of job roles and industries. 
 
Assessed through a combination of an assignment and a multiple choice test, the certificate can be delivered in 40 guided learning hours - either through a programme of off-the-job learning or through courses at a school, college or other training establishment. 
 
Developed in response to the demand for employable and qualified people, the certificate focuses on skills that help people gain and retain jobs, in any role and in any sector. These encompass health, safety and security in the workplace, essential communication and interpersonal skills, team skills and how to build positive working relationships.
 
Nigel Snook, chief executive of EDI commented: "All employers are looking for individuals that can demonstrate the kind of personal and soft skills needed to succeed in the work place. This qualification will not only help candidates prove that they are committed to achieving their full potential within their role but enable them to develop skills that will be useful throughout their entire career. Employers will not only benefit from a more skilled workforce but also a more productive and effective one."