Study calls for new understanding of international competences

"International skills and competences developed through international experiences during study or practical training are an asset on the labour market." This is a general assumption. But to what extent does it hold true? The research project "Hidden Competences" examined how employers rate skills and knowledge acquired through international experiences during study or practical training:

"Key findings of the research project include that while students estimate international experiences useful in their future work life, employers don't emphasise international competences in recruitment. At the same time, global megatrends change most industries and job descriptions highlighting the need for global knowhow across our societies. There's an emerging demand for new understanding of international competences. The report introduces an extended understanding of international competences. While language skills, cultural knowledge and tolerance have often been understood to be the basis of international competences, three new factors were now recognised. This extended understanding of international competences is productivity, resilience and curiosity. These three extensions depict current notions of employers in regards to what international competences could be perceived as."

The project was completed by CIMO and Demos Helsinki in 2013. Visit the website of the research project for further information or view the Summary PDF (6.2 Mb, English) for the detailed project report.