Bridging the Soft Skills Gap: Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Online Training for Workforce Readiness

This study evaluates the impact of a fully online training program “Core Skills”* 1on the development of soft skills among higher education students. Conducted with over 1,000 participants, the program included modules focused on self-assessment and one crucial aspect of core skills: time management, and Results demonstrated significant improvements across three dimensions: knowledge, self-perception, and confidence. Knowledge scores rose from 67 to 80, with notable gains in both general and specific understanding of soft skills. Students also improved in their ability to correct misconceptions. Self-perception scores increased by 7 percentage points, with improvements in evaluating personal strengths such as perseverance, autonomy, and reactivity. Confidence in applying soft skills was reinforced, with 97% of students feeling able to transfer these skills to professional contexts. These findings support the effectiveness of digital learning environments in fostering key non-cognitivecompetencies. This study contributes empirical evidence to the growing field of online soft skills education and highlights the importance of scalable, accessible solutions for preparing students for the workforce.