Adolescents and young people, throughout their academic career, will receive guidance on everything and the profession for studies that will help them more than once. They should be offered guidance, as they are often full of doubts whenever they need to make important decisions, and not only in relation to their studies. Take care of the kids and teens around you. Which studies to choose? Which routes and subjects to choose in Compulsory Secondary Education? Professional Training or Baccalaureate? A degree or a higher cycle? What to study at the university or which profession to choose? At the age of twelve or thirteen they will begin to make decisions that could condition their future.

From the outset, guidance will be essential, especially if the teenager or young person does not see the path clearly. This allows students to learn about the professional opportunities offered by specific studies, as well as to gain support in the analysis and identification of opportunities that fit their interests, hobbies and abilities.

It is clear to them that professional success no longer depends solely on the knowledge or hard skills acquired through their studies; on the contrary, soft skills, which until recently were not so valued, are becoming increasingly important.

This week, during a session with the students of our institute, they have been told about them... Technical skills are defined and specialized knowledge that is acquired through formal training, which can be measured and evaluated, and are often the skills necessary for success in the world of work. What are the most demanded skills in companies? Well, they usually highlight those related to computer science and technology, finance and accounting, engineering and science, project management, data management and knowledge of other languages, especially those that are most useful for international practice... I want to think that among the companies of the Basque Country, Basque is also one of the languages that falls into the category of hard skills. As we have already said, knowledge of languages is generally included in the category of hard skills, since it is possible to measure the ability to learn or use a language and it can be part of one’s professionalism, especially when they have the technical language skills necessary to work in a company or sector.

Among soft skills, however, those most in demand among companies are teamwork, assertive communication, leadership, critical thinking, resilience, problem-solving skills, organization and time management, rapid adaptation to change and adaptability to new situations, lifelong learning, etc. As mentioned above, knowing the language can be one of these hard skills, but how it is applied and used in communication or social interactions can become a soft skill. It is of vital importance, therefore.

The use of Basque can be essential among these superior soft skills, especially as it is necessary to ensure effective communication with Basque speakers; therefore, the use of Basque can be a human skill. It also includes soft skills such as intercultural communication and respect, the use of Basque can be seen as a practice that expresses acceptance of and respect for Basque culture. In addition, the use of language with Basque-speaking members in a work area allows the development of key skills such as teamwork and collaboration. Language is a tool for socialization that generates and increases the cohesion and trust of a group. On the other hand, the use of Basque is an essential social skill to maintain a good relationship between people and allow the necessary communication. Whether or not to use the Basque language in the work environment, in what situations to use it, with whom, what attitude to show with colleagues who use and do not use the Basque language... consciously or unconsciously, Basque workers make many such decisions that those who are going to be immersed in the world of work should work on beforehand.

In the explanations given to the students, they did not devote any special importance to the Basque language, but I think we should emphasize again and again the impact of the skill of using the Basque language, even in the workplace.

by Rober Gutiérrez