Analysis of Soft Skills-Based Approach Effectiveness in Advanced Training Program for Mining Company

The paper considers a specific case related to the development of a program for upgrading soft skills of employees of maintenance service in mining and processing industry, and its testing in actual practice of the production cycle rearrangement. The project aim is to assess the potential of introducing the principles of advanced training from the viewpoint of psychological readiness of employees for changes at an industrial enterprise. The degree of effectiveness of this staff training method is considered. The project objectives are aimed at forming groups of workers based on the degree of their influence on the changes produced; the incoming assessment of readiness to fulfill the role of “change champions” is studied; implementation of training activities aimed at improving employee's readiness; output assessment of the training activities effectiveness is produced. In the project implementation, the following methods and tools were used: soft skills-based approach, sociological and expert surveys, statistical analysis, trainings and chalk and talk sessions, solution of theoretical and practical cases (problems). Based on the results of the implemented soft skills changing (upgrading) program, the dynamics of increasing psychological readiness of employees (who participated in the proposed training activities) to accept large-scale and local changes was revealed. The study findings present rationale for investing funds of production companies in proactive and advanced development of employees from the standpoints of both professional competencies and soft skills aimed at psychological readiness for changes and understanding the need for lifelong learning of engineers and technicians, being effective "change champion" in production activities.