Penn Manor program trains soft skills needed for life after high school

All Penn Manor freshmen are now required to complete online courses toward earning a “Comet Credential”  certificate that demonstrates they have completed training on a series of essential interpersonal skills and practices. These are the “soft skills” employers say all workers need to better prepare them for life after high school. The courses include such topics as “Time Management: Quit Making Excuses and Make Time Instead,” “Making and Carrying Out Tough Decisions,” “Communication Methods that Make Sense – and Make Your Point” and “Difficult People: Strategies to Keep Everyone Working Together.” The training will give all students the tools to more successfully navigate their four years of high school and transition to college or the workforce. This is the first program of its kind targeting an entire high school class – more than 400 students – in Pennsylvania. Students will complete the courses in addition to their regular academic work. The Comet Credential program is a collaborative effort involving local business representatives, the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board and CareerLink of Lancaster County, a partner of the American Job Center network.