Soft Skills Training: A Workbook to Develop Skills for Employment (Second Edition) is a transformative resource designed to inspire students, particularly those who may not thrive in traditional educational settings. This workbook is tailored for individuals who have faced challenges in conventional classrooms and are ready to unlock their potential. It was created with the aim of providing practical tools and insights that are essential for securing and maintaining employment.

The journey began when I was hired by a major university to facilitate a course for recently released offenders, guiding them toward employment opportunities. Upon entering the classroom, I quickly recognized that the standard approach—focusing solely on application processes, resume writing, mock interviews, and job-search techniques—was not resonating with my students. Many were disengaged, either losing interest or even falling asleep during lectures.

This experience led me to reevaluate my teaching methods. I understood that the learning experience needed to be more captivating, challenging, and beneficial. My goal was to equip participants not just with job-seeking skills but with the soft skills necessary to thrive in any workplace. However, I faced a significant challenge: there was a scarcity of published materials focused on teaching the essential soft skills that new hires require to sustain their employment.

Over the course of eighteen years, I meticulously curated class materials that focused on developing soft skills. This workbook is a culmination of that effort, brimming with insights and exercises that have proven successful in various settings, including schools, inner-city church programs, nonprofits, and government-funded job training initiatives.

This workbook not only serves as an educational tool but also as a stepping stone for students to develop critical cognitive skills. It encourages learners to challenge unproductive thinking patterns and self-defeating emotional behaviors, fostering a desire to plan, set goals, and achieve them.

By integrating engaging content with practical exercises, this workbook is designed to make the learning process enjoyable and effective. It empowers students to understand the importance of soft skills in the workplace, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

In conclusion, Soft Skills Training: A Workbook to Develop Skills for Employment (Second Edition) is an essential resource for anyone looking to enhance their employability and succeed in the workforce. With its unique format and comprehensive content, it provides the tools necessary to navigate the challenges of the modern job market effectively.