Skills are vital because they are all about what you can 'do'. When you start a new job an employer does not expect you to know everything - this is why you will have training so that you can learn the job properly. But your boss will expect to see that you have the potential to do the job well. They will look carefully at your CV, application form and during your interview for evidence that you have the necessary abilities to build on your training and be a real asset to the employer.

The subject of skills is big because they cover lots of different areas. For example, you could have creative skills (designing, drawing), practical skills (making, repairing), technical skills (computing, operating machinery), information skills (researching, reporting), or physical skills (sports, outdoor activities). These are only a few examples of skills and in many cases you will have skills from more than one of these areas. However, there is one set of skills separate from these that is required by everyone and these are often called employability skills. With these skills you are able to offer an employer the best hope they have made the right choice in appointing you to the job.

Problem-solving, team-working and time-management skills are a necessary part of employment, and business will often consider these qualities to be as important as exam results and formal qualifications.' So said Richard Lambert, Director General of the CBI in his introduction to the 2010 report 'Ready to Grow.' These are skills you can take with you to any job because they are things all employers need. Sometimes they are called transferable skills because you can transfer what you know to different jobs. So whether you are in the bottom job or top job, whether you have level 2 qualifications or level 5, whether you are working in Construction or Computers you will always have to develop employability skills to make you employable. The following questions in this section relate to a survey of employers' attitudes to young people and skills published in July 2010 by the CBI.

Problem-solving, team-working and time-management skills are a necessary part of employment, and business will often consider these qualities to be as important as exam results and formal qualifications.' So said Richard Lambert, Director General of the CBI in his introduction to the 2010 report 'Ready to Grow.' Further to this employers throughout the report stressed that they need their emploees to have the basic skills required to perform well in all jobs. This means a good use of English (when having to read documents at work and write things down for people), Maths (when having to make everyday calculations such as giving change or measuring out ingredients in a kitchen) and IT (when using a computer to work process doucments or use the company computer system. The basic skills of English, Maths and IT are vital for any job and this is why you will be told throughout your teenage years that you need to try hard to achieve these qualifications to at least level 2.

In the CBI survey there were other skills employers said young peope should develop to be prepared for today's labour market. These include an awareness of the business environment (what makes a business succeed or fail), self management skills (not having to be told what to do all the time), team work skills (working well with other people) and problem-solving skills (always looking for solutions to problems and not giving up). A huge 65% of employers in the survey in 2010 said that one of the best ways to learn about all these things is through being in the work environment. So young people need to make the most of work experience, work placements, part time jobs and any opportunity for volunteering.

The CBI reported that STEM skills - Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths - are in short supply in Britain and more young people need to develop them. These skills are equally valued by other employers not just those specific to STEM occupations, for example, those with STEM skills are in high demand in the world of banking, finance and insurance. STEM subjects teach you good analytical and problem-solving skills meaning when you are faced with a problem you can analyse it logically and come up with a solution. Young people choosing STEM subjects will also have the chance to develop good numerical skills (maths) and be able to write reports on projects and experiments.

Apprenticeships can produce a 'rounded individual' who has combined on-the-job training with the study of the technical knowledge needed for the role. This means an Apprentice can cope with the day-to-day challenges of the workplace because he or she has had lots of experience of being at work during the Apprenticeship, but they have also gained the qualification they need be attending college or a training centre. The CBI reported that 90% of Apprentices found employment - or became self employed - after their Apprenticeship finished.

Going into HE at university or a college will give you an opportunity to both improve your qualifications and develop your skills. However, it is a myth to think that just because somebody has a degree that they are much better prepared for the world of work. Many graduate employers in the survey said they were dissatisfied with their job applicants' basic skills (maths, English and IT), problem-solving skills and self management skills. About a quarter of employers also said the job applicant should have had more experience of work. So, going to university can open up a whole world of career opportunities you would never otherwise have had, but if you don't pay attention to developing your employability skills in preparation for work you may never have the chance to experience these opportunities.

Over half of employers surveyed said they struggled to find people to employ who had the skills they needed - especially basic skills. They also said that the demand for skills will continue to go up as businesses face tougher times during the economic downturn and need employees to perform well. This does not mean every young person has to feel under pressure to offer everything an employer needs, it just means you need to be aware of how you can make yourself more employable when you look for a job. If your maths isn't very good, spend more time on it; if you turn up late for things, start turning up early; if someone has to keep telling you to do things, surprise them and do the things without being asked; and if you give up too soon because something seems difficult, don't, keep going! 'If you can show an employer you have what it takes to do a good job, whatever level it is, they will employ you'(CBI 2010).

Whilst skills and qualifications are vital to an employer it is important to remember that you personal qualities also play a part in landing your first job. Employers will be interested in whether you are honest and reliable, whether you are conscientious and committed, wehther you can show that you have a real passion for the job you want to do. 'A positive attitude to work is vital so young people approach the world of work with enthusiasm and a desire to learn and develop'.