SOCIAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN FUTURE PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS: THE IMPORTANCE OF SOFT SKILLS

Abstract

The development of soft skills in future professional social workers is a very topical issue. this concept became widely used in the late 1990s of the last centuries. The article attempts to structure and group the main flexible skills that are inherent in modern young professionals in the field of social work and social security. The main groups of flexible skills were compared with the main competencies of a social worker. This structuring has shown that the most desirable skills for a social worker are empathy, communication skills, time management and creativity. As a result of the analysis of the most popular soft skills, these qualities were also present, which indicates that the specialty 231 Social Work and 232 Social Welfare are relevant and in demand in the modern labor market. As a foreign experience, such world-renowned companies as Microsoft and Forbes were cited, where the main qualities of a specialist dealing with social issues should be communication skills, creativity, willingness to present their ideas to the general public, and a high level of social responsibility. In addition, a list of key skills of modern youth of the twenty-first century and tools for their development is presented in the article. Among the most popular skills of today's youth are digital and computer literacy, communication skills, and personal skills represented by free communication in social networks and full digitalization of their time. Recommendations were made regarding the educational component of higher education institutions. It was emphasized that young graduate of the relevant programs can become a competitive and qualified employee if he or she has a proper educational base and is taught those disciplines that fully help in the formation of basic skills. It was noted that it`s important to explain to young professionals how important their own self-development is and what results their fruitful training can bring.