Technical Standards for Biotechnology

Fundamental competencies that address soft skills vital to employability, personal and professional success are listed below. Colleges are encouraged to integrate these competencies into the curriculum by embedding appropriate student learning outcomes into one or more courses or through alternative methods.

Interpersonal skills and teamwork – The ability to work effectively with others, especially to analyze situations, establish priorities and apply resources for solving problems or accomplishing tasks.

Communication – The ability to effectively exchange ideas and information with others through oral, written or visual means.

Integrity and professionalism – Workplace behaviors that relate to ethical standards, honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility, self-control, criticism and demeanor.

Problem-solving – The ability to identify problems and potential causes while developing and implementing practical action plans for solutions.

Initiative and dependability – Workplace behaviors that relate to seeking out new responsibilities, establishing and meeting goals, completing tasks, following directions, complying with rules and consistent reliability.

Information processing – The ability to acquire, evaluate, organize, manage and interpret information.

Adaptability and lifelong learning – The ability to learn and apply new knowledge and skills and adapt to changing technologies, methods, processes, work environments, organizational structures and management practices.

Entrepreneurship – The knowledge and skills necessary to create opportunities and develop as an employee or self-employed business owner.

*An Employability Skills Resource Toolkit has been developed by NC-NET for the competencies listed above.