United Kingdom: ‘soft skills’ reference framework launched for employers

Identifying and assessing the interpersonal skills of workers and other skills that are not specifically related to their qualifications is a recurring issue. To address this and showcase the importance of so-called soft skills, a taskforce that includes the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) as well as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) published the Skills Builder Universal Framework, a new online evaluation system, on 20 May. The aim of the initiative is to provide employers with a common language when it comes to soft skills and identify potential needs for these hard-to-find essential capabilities.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

At present, the Skills Builder Universal Framework – which can be downloaded or accessed online – pinpoints eight soft skills: listening, speaking, problem solving, creativity, staying positive, aiming high, leadership and teamwork. For each of these soft skills, employers can find a precise definition of what should be expected of someone who has the said skill. Advice and training on each topic is available to employers, employees and those who deal with training. Each soft skill has...

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Italy: decree-law adopted to increase workplace safety
On 28 October, the Italian cabinet adopted a decree-law on health and safety at work, aimed at preventing and reducing accidents. The text addresses both the powers and actions of supervisory...
4 November 2025
Romania: parents of children with disabilities granted up to eight days of remote work per month
On 9 October, the Romanian parliament adopted a bill aiming to bolster support for parents of children with disabilities up to the age of 18. The legislation, which came into force on 12 October...
Carrefour and UNI Global Union renew global agreement on promoting social dialogue and diversity
On 17 October, Carrefour, one of the world’s largest retailers, with nearly 500,000 employees worldwide, and global union federation UNI Global Union renewed their global agreement on...
mind RH analysis – Initial findings from CSRD social indicators
In 2025, for the first time, the universal registration documents of major European companies contain the sustainability reporting required by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive...
31 October 2025
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
France: insurance sector becomes first to sign agreement on employment of older workers
On 25 June 2025, France Assureurs – the employers’ association for the insurance industry – and five representative trade unions signed the sector’s first three-year agreement aimed at promoting...
2
Candice Guillot (Talan): “Our recruiters save just over 80 hours per year on administrative tasks thanks to AI”
Candice Guillot, group director of employee experience and HR performance at Talan (7,000 employees), outlines for mind RH her vision and strategy for introducing artificial intelligence at the...
20 October 2025