OES Resources

OES Framework: Foundation Skills for our Future

Oregon Employability Skills helps people learn and develop skills through hands-on learning and in-class experience. These skills prepare them for future jobs in their chose field, enhancing opportunities for a successful future. 

  • Adaptability: Open to Change

  • Analysis/Solution Mindset: Problem Solver

  • Collaboration: Team Player

  • Communication: Good Communicator

  • Digital Literacy: Good with Technology

  • Empathy: Sensitive to Others' Feelings

  • Entrepreneurial Mindset: Go Getter

  • Resilience: Plans for Success & Handles Failure

  • Self-Awareness: Self-Understanding

  • Social Diversity/Awareness: Sensitivity to Differences

Free and Open Access Curriculum for Industry and Education 

To learn more please contact Cherie Clark at oregonemployabilityskills@wesd.org.

Student Notebook

OES Skill Traits: Checklist

Adaptability

  • Sees when things change and recognizes that change can be an opportunity.

  • Open to new experiences, including work environments, roles, and tasks.

  • Acknowledges the viewpoints of others and accepts suggestions to get the job done.

  • Handles average amounts of stress, positively uses feedback, and learns from things that go wrong.

Analysis/Solution Mindset/Problem Solving

  • Considers different points of view; tries to understand why information is presented the way it is.

  • Sees problems and needs in society, the community, or the workplace. Looks at the bigger picture when finding a way to solve a problem.

  • Sees themes or patterns in data and can connect information from different subject areas. Use critical thinking skills.

  • Considers different ways of solving problems; test ideas to find the one that works best.

Collaboration/Team Player

  • Understands that collaborating with a diverse team, in person or remotely, benefits everyone.

  • Can identify the process of completing a shared goal by identifying resources, timelines, objectives, and team members' skills to meet the shared goal successfully.

  • Can demonstrate a leadership mindset, sharing  responsibilities with team members, offers help when needed, and involves team input to generate new ideas.

  • Finds positive ways to deal with conflict on the team; sees setbacks as a way to learn.

Communication

  • Speaks in a way that is appropriate for the workplace and that others will understand, and writes with correct grammar and rules..

  • Chooses words with care, uses nonverbal methods to clarify meaning, and uses common social rules for interacting with others. Knows how to communicate across roles.

  • Knows when and how to communicate with email, the internet, digital communication and social media, and other computer applications.

  • Is an active listener - listens with empathy, paraphrases for understanding, and asks questions for clarification before actively communicating to avoid misunderstanding.

Digital Literacy 

  • Knows how to operate a computer, tablet, or smartphone and use programs like word processing, messaging, and browser windows.

  • Knows how to properly use and legally share documents, pictures, and programs; understands what, how, and when to use sensitive, confidential, or private information.

  • Uses online tools to find information, answer questions, solve a problem, and consider whether a source is accurate.

  • Knows what technology tools help people work together in person and online. 

Empathy 

  • Knows empathy and sympathy are different and understands when to respond with empathy or sympathy

  • Connects with others by being an active listener; asks questions to help understand what others are feeling.

  • Builds trusting, valued relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

  • Makes decisions incorporating and considering others’ needs and points of view; asks for feedback. 

Entrepreneurial Mindset/Go Getter

  • Learns new things, builds skills, and seeks more job responsibilities. 

  • Connects different types of information to create new ideas and ways of completing tasks.

  • Is willing to take risks and learn from mistakes to make improvements. 

  • Thinks like an entrepreneur, even when working for others, and understands social entrepreneurship can benefit others and self.

Resilience 

  • Sets priorities and goals. Sees possible outcomes to actions and creates backup plans.

  • Bounces back when things go wrong by figuring out what happened and how to learn from it.

  • Takes feedback and deals directly with conflict positively, and can listen to others and speak up for themselves.

  • Knows that personal growth and skill development is an essential part of life.

Self-Awareness

  • Is realistic about personal strengths, skills, and areas of needed growth.

  • Looks for tasks that are a good match for personal strengths and skills.

  • Acknowledges personal responsibility in actions and words; seeks to control emotions and behavior even under stress; tries to do the right thing.

  • Exhibits work-appropriate behavior, including showing up on time and applies guidelines or rules of the work setting to stay safe. 

Social Diversity Awareness

  • Understands that diversity is defined as recognizing, appreciating, and valuing the unique talents and contributions of all individuals regardless of demographics, physical appearance, social status, communication style, culture, values, or beliefs.

  • Able to share diverse backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge of own culture. 

  • Is willing to move the diversity conversation forward through advocacy by asking thoughtful and respectful questions.

  • Brings change to the workplace by embracing diversity and modeling behaviors that are respectful and sensitive to others.