Essential Skills for Workplace Success

The 8 Essential Skills

Kentucky's Essential Skills standards identify workplace skills that students develop throughout their K-12 education. WCPS embeds these skills across academic, leadership, career exploration, and career preparation experiences.

Adaptability

• Solve problems, think critically, make decisions, and adjust to new situations.

Diligence

• Persevere through challenges, establish goals, prioritize responsibilities, and complete tasks.

Initiative

• Take responsibility, work independently, learn from failure, and take pride in quality work.

Knowledge

• Apply academic and technical knowledge to authentic, real-world situations.

Reliability

• Be punctual, responsible, ethical, prepared, and accountable.

Drug-Free

• Understand the importance of making healthy choices and maintaining a safe and drug-free workplace.

Communication

• Listen, speak, ask questions, share ideas, and communicate appropriately with different audiences.

Working With Others

• Collaborate effectively, respect individual differences, resolve conflicts, and contribute positively to a team.

Skills Grow with Our Students

Elementary School

• Students begin to learn and practice essential skills with guidance.

Middle School

• Students increasingly apply essential skills to authentic situations.

High School

• Students independently apply and demonstrate essential skills in academic, leadership, career, and workplace settings.

Want to learn More?

View the Kentucky Academic Standards for Career Studies and Financial Literacy