FORMATION OF SOCIAL SKILLS OF FUTURE SPECIALISTS OF PHYSICAL CULTURE AND SPORTS, PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

Abstract

Formation of social skills (soft skills) in students pursuing degrees in physical culture and sports, as wellas physical therapists, and occupational therapists during their professional training in higher education, isboth the main requirement of employers and the challenge today. Socialisation of students in the workplaceis a prerequisite for their development as competitive specialists with high professional competence. Theaim of the research is the theoretical substantiation of the method of formation of social skills in studentsof physical culture and sports, physical therapists, and occupational therapists of the Institute of HealthCare in the scope of their professional training. Research methods: analysis, comparison, and generalisationof the findings from the literature. The essence of the concept of social skills is defined. The most importantpersonality traits, which are key sought-after skills by contemporary employers, include emotionalintelligence, resilience, flexibility, creativity, empathy, honesty, punctuality, and decency. Possibledifficulties in developing social skills related to student personal characteristics and emotions are alsoanalysed. As a result, it is rationalised to monitor the level of social skills in students of physical cultureand sports, physical therapists, and occupational therapists at the Institute of Health Care, and ensurethe focus of teachers on formation of student “soft skills” during their professional training.