Soft skills for a strong foundation in workplace performance.

Charles Darwin once said, "It is not the strongest or most intelligent who will survive, but those who can best manage change," and managing change requires essential soft skills. While hard skills (or technical knowledge) are still important, the increased use of technological and AI advancements in the workplace means that things can change quickly, and employers are looking for people who can demonstrate the human touch that machines cannot replace. The Essential Soft Skills Training (ESST) micro-certificate program will complement your hard skills and give your career a strong foundation for growth.

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Program description

Essential Soft Skills Training provides learners with foundational soft skills such as communication, creativity, productive conflict resolution, self-awareness, social intelligence, problem solving, critical thinking and team-building. In light of how digital work environments affect these skills, this micro-credential will prepare learners to be more effective in working collaboratively and constructively with colleagues, thus increasing their competitive advantage in the workplace.

Theory will be presented with practical action steps that learners will apply through class simulations or in the workplace. Progress will be assessed through personal reflection, quizzes, peer review and instructor feedback.

Program highlights

All learners who complete the Essential Soft Skills Training micro-credential receive a non-credit micro-certificate from the University of Victoria, Division of Continuing Studies.

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Short-term
This program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to achieve your professional goals in just six weeks.

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Online Flexibility
This program is delivered online, allowing you to work independently within deadlines set by your instructor. With this format, you don't have to worry about travel or scheduling conflicts while you study. You can work at your own pace, on your own schedule and maintain a balanced lifestyle. 

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Stackable
This program will give you laddering opportunities into other micro-credentials or to non-credit programs.

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Credibility
The University of Victoria is one of Canada's leading universities, recognized for preparing students for careers in a wide range of disciplines. Upon successful completion of this program, you will receive a micro-certificate.

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Through the StrongerBC future skills grant, students may be eligible to receive funding for this program. View details and eligibility.

Program outcomes

This micro-certificate program provides an engaging multi-media environment for learners to grow their core skills and aims for learners to:

  • constructively develop their soft skills
  • acquire key concepts that improve critical thinking
  • articulate thinking matrices for creative and strategic problem solving
  • adapt to change and overcome obstacles
  • engage in compelling communication even in tough conversations
  • collaborate effectively within teams
  • bring the core skills together for improved process and people management in the workplace  

Who is this program for?

The Essential Soft Skills Training micro-certificate will appeal to those:

  • interacting with people in their current or desired careers
  • wanting to increase their competitive advantage in their careers
  • looking for professional development opportunities to improve workplace performance or employability
  • interested in adding industry certification to their resumes

Learners are typically:

  • early to mid-career professionals in a wide range of industries including, but not limited to, health and safety, health care, education and engineering
  • recent graduates of post-secondary institutions who want to complement their specialized education (i.e. hard skills) with soft skills training
  • skilled newcomers to Canada who want to complement their international education and training with a Canadian micro-credential

Instructors

News and resources

Application and fees

Admission requirements

  1. Though not required, current or prior experience in a work environment is recommended for success in this program. It is the responsibility of the participant to ensure they can complete all assignments and contribute meaningfully to all discussions by drawing from their experience. If you have any questions about your suitability for this course, please contact us directly before the course start date.
  2. Regular access to a computer with a reliable internet connection.

 

How to apply

No application is necessary, simply select the course required for the micro-certificate and register for it independently. When registering, you will be charged a $20 Micro-certificate in Essential Soft Skills Training fee.

Once you have completed your course, your certificate will be sent to you electronically. Certificates are sent approximately one month after the completion of the course.

StrongerBC future skills grant

This program is eligible for the StrongerBC future skills grant. To register using this grant please review the eligibility, registration details and funding dates

Registration details

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Having trouble registering online? Register by phone: 250-472-4747

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Info you should know:

Continuing Studies statement on use of educational technology

This course will require the use of Zoom for orientation and check-in sessions, and may use other education technology such as internet-based applications, cloud services, or social media. In order to complete this course you will be required to either consent to the disclosure of your personal information outside of Canada to enable use of these technologies, or work with the Division of Continuing Studies to explore other privacy protective options (such as using an alias or nickname).