Noblesville introduces soft-skills campaign

Noblesville leaders announced a new initiative Friday morning to encourage soft skill education for students and employees.

The “Noblesville Works” year-long campaign identifies a specific soft skill category every month for companies and schools to emphasize, including ethics, teamwork and communication skills.

Judi Johnson, director of economic development for Noblesville, said the biggest complaint she hears from businesses is that they struggle to find employees with those traits.

“I think people take soft skills for granted, and in today’s world they can’t be taken for granted,” Johnson said.

Duke Energy provided $2,500 to pay for the marketing materials designed by hothouse Communications.

The city is trying to target a wide audience including families, students of all ages, businesses and perspective and current employees. The program is a result of the Noblesville Workforce Development Council, which met for two years to discuss strategies to improve the city's workforce.

"Soft skills are vital to career readiness and success," Mayor John Ditslear said.