Strategies to Enhance Educators' Soft Skills: The Role of Managers

This study explores the role of managers at New Zealand's Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) in developing their educators' soft skills. Soft skills are interpersonal skills that are essential for enhancing communication and collaboration between educators and learners. From an employability perspective, managers want to hire educators with strong knowledge of pedagogy and subject matter, as well as strong interpersonal skills. The modern education environment requires educators to invest in developing their soft skills to succeed in their careers. However, there is a need to understand how managers can contribute to the development and utilization of these skills among educators.This study will provide strategies, challenges, and considerations for enhancing various soft skills among educators. It will also explore how managers can create a supportive environment for developing the soft skills of educators. By understanding the managerial perspective and the challenges faced by educators in developing and utilizing soft skills, this research aims to contribute to the enhancement of educational quality within ITPs.The findings can inform the design of professional development programmes, recruitment processes, and performance evaluations aligned with identified soft skills, ultimately enhancing educational quality within ITPs, and benefiting educators and students alike.