Step by step to soft-skills training : How to enhance employability skills in students

Purpose – Emphasizes the need to give soft-skills training equal importance with other core subjects in Indian educational institutions to enhance students’ employability. Design/methodology/approach – Illustrates with a blueprint to ensure industry – institute interaction and co-ordination from all stakeholders including educators, industry, training and placement officers and soft-skills trainers. Findings – Highlights the need to treat soft skills like any other core subject to make students understand their importance. Practical implications – Shows that soft skills will enable students to grow not only as an enlightened and empowered individuals but also as an employable and self-employable individuals. Social implications – Seeks strong support from all stakeholders, including educators, students, parents, industry, non-governmental organizations and government, to enhance employability skills in students. Originality/value – Turns the spotlight on the importance of soft skills to students and the Indian economy as a whole.