Meaning of Skill Acquisition
A skill is a special ability acquired through training in order to do something in a better way. Skill is also defined as the ability to bring about some end result with maximum certainty an minimum outlay of time and energy. There is a different between talent and skill. Skill is usually acquired through training from either a formal or an informal setting.
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Talent is an inborn ability to do certain things. It is possible to be talented but not skilled. The training acquired will help the talented individual to improve on his/her ability. An acquired skill is perfected through constant practice and training. Psychologists believe that when you practice a skill continuous for seven years or 10,000 hours it becomes part of you.
Someone who has undergone training to acquire a skill is called a professional or an expert while someone who knows little or nothing about a skill is called a novice. The process of moving from being a novice or unskilled person to a skilled person or a professional is called skill acquisition. Skill acquisition is the process of learning and mastering a particular skill.
Reasons for Skill Acquisition
- To earn a living: Skill could be acquired in order provide a means of livelihood for the individual. The individual uses the money earned from using his skills to meet basic needs.
- For employment: Acquiring a skill provides an individual with the opportunity of being self-employed. Skill acquisition reduces the stress of seeking for a job all over the place. The more engaged a person is in a profession, the more skillful he/she becomes. Such a person can even earn more money by training others. The person becomes a decision maker and a manager of emergencies
- For independence: skill acquisition enables one to be independent, not relying on friends and family for survival
Other reasons for skill acquisition include:
- Risk taking
- Decision making
- Managing emergency situation
- Survival strategy
- Learning to live together
- Improvement of quality of life.
- Appreciating human capacity
Types of Skills
There are different skills that can be acquired and they include:
- Automobile repairs (mechanical works)
- Painting
- Hair dressing/barber’s work
- Photography
- Publishing
- Catering
- Panel beating
- Book binding
- Farming
- Computer literacy
- Fine art
- Welding
- Brick laying
- Plumbing
- ICT
- Metal work
- Electrical installation
- Video coverage
- Fish farming
- Trading
- Shoe making
- Fashion designing
- Upholstery/carpentry
- Hat/bead making
- Desktop publishing
Importance of Skill Acquisition
- Improvement in skills and knowledge.
- Improvement in communication.
- Improvement on the quality of life.
- Survival strategy.
- Means of livelihood.
- Self-gratification and independence.
- Meaningful contribution to the society.
See also