Embedding Employability Skills into Technical Programs: Tools, Strategies, and Employer Insights
NCPN 2026 Preconference Workshop: February 18, 2026
Hope Cotner and Marci Gale, Facilitators
Workshop Resources
- Slide Deck (pdf)
- Necessary Skills Now (NSN) Network website
- NSN Action Planner (docx)
- NSN Scenario Development Template (docx)
- Planning Your Own Industry Insights – NSN webinar outline/details (docx)
- NSN Instructional Resources Page
- Web-based student-facing content
- Instructor reference cards for classroom discussion
- Video clips featuring employers discussing the importance of employability skills (24 clips/sortable by topic)
- Marci Gale’s Canvas course featuring all resources listed above: In Canvas Commons, search for “Necessary Skills Now”
- Marci Gale’s Employer Survey of Advanced Manufacturing Competencies
- US Department of Labor Competency Model Clearinghouse – Industry Models
- Building Blocks Model – Foundational Competencies