ACC Apprenticeships NACE Competencies

The eight National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) competences focus on skills and attributes for career readiness that are valued by employers. These competencies help college graduates prepare for entry into the workforce.

Below are the competences along with a link to the NACE website with additional materials and resources.

NACE Reference Link

Competencies	Definitions	Behaviors	Meanings	Examples
CAREER AND SELF-DEVELOPMENT	Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and outside of one’s organization.	Seek feedback and use it for self-improvement. Set and pursue professional development goals. Engage in continuous learning and skill enhancement. Build and maintain professional relationships and networks. Advocate for oneself and others in the workplace.	Apprentices are expected to take ownership of their growth. This means actively seeking mentorship, identifying areas for improvement, setting goals for learning new skills, and engaging in reflective practices. As apprentices progress, they should explore career pathways within the field and build networks with mentors, supervisors, and peers.	Asking for feedback after completing a task and then seeking out additional resources or shadowing opportunities to improve.
COMMUNICATION	Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.	Demonstrate proficiency in verbal, written, and non-verbal communication. Utilize active listening skills to understand and respond appropriately. Adapt communication style to diverse audiences and situations. Provide and receive constructive feedback effectively. Use appropriate communication tools and technologies	Clear, respectful, and effective communication is essential—whether it’s asking for clarification on a task, documenting work, or participating in team meetings. Apprentices must learn to adapt their communication to supervisors, coworkers, or clients and use both verbal and digital channels professionally.	Explaining a technical issue to a supervisor and summarizing next steps in an email follow-up.
CRITICAL THINKING	Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.	Analyze complex problems and identify underlying issues. Evaluate information from multiple sources to make informed decisions. Develop and implement effective solutions to problems. Anticipate potential challenges and proactively address them. Reflect on outcomes to improve future decision-making.	Apprentices develop this competency by observing, analyzing, and solving problems in real time. They are expected to ask thoughtful questions, apply logic to troubleshooting, and understand the implications of different approaches on outcomes and safety.	Identifying a potential error in a process and suggesting a more efficient solution based on observation and feedback.
INTERCULTURAL & GLOBAL FLUENCY	Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist practices that actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism.	Recognize and challenge personal biases and prejudices. Promote inclusive practices and respect for diversity. Engage in continuous learning about cultural competence. Advocate for equitable treatment and opportunities for all individuals. Collaborate effectively with diverse teams and communities.	Apprentices often work in diverse teams and must demonstrate respect, openness, and adaptability to different backgrounds and perspectives. They should practice inclusive behaviors, remain culturally aware, and support equitable practices on the job site.	Collaborating respectfully with coworkers from diverse backgrounds and participating in discussions around inclusive workplace practices.
LEADERSHIP	Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.	Inspire and motivate others toward a shared vision. Delegate tasks effectively and empower team members. Demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior in decision-making. Adapt leadership style to meet the needs of the team and situation. Foster a positive and productive work environment.	While apprentices may not lead teams, they can show leadership by taking initiative, being reliable, mentoring newer apprentices, and stepping up during projects or problem-solving. Leadership also involves ethical decision-making and ownership of one’s responsibilities.	Volunteering to lead a task after observing how it’s done and guiding a peer through it.
PROFESSIONALISM	Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.	Demonstrate reliability and accountability in all tasks. Maintain a positive and respectful attitude in the workplace. Adhere to ethical standards and organizational policies. Manage time and resources efficiently. Commit to continuous personal and professional growth.	Apprentices are expected to demonstrate maturity, punctuality, a strong work ethic, and respect for workplace norms. This includes managing time effectively, maintaining a professional appearance and demeanor, and upholding safety and ethical standards.	Arriving on time daily, adhering to safety guidelines, and consistently producing quality work.
TEAMWORK	Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.	Contribute actively and constructively to team efforts. Respect and value diverse perspectives and contributions. Communicate openly and honestly with team members. Resolve conflicts in a constructive manner. Support and encourage colleagues to achieve team objectives.	Apprentices are frequently part of collaborative environments where success depends on mutual support and communication. They should contribute actively, respect roles, and work toward shared goals, recognizing how their role supports the overall mission.	Supporting a teammate who’s running behind, helping redistribute tasks to meet the project deadline.
TECHNOLOGY	Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.	Stay informed about emerging technologies relevant to the field. Utilize appropriate tools and platforms to enhance productivity. Ensure ethical use of technology and data. Troubleshoot and resolve basic technical issues. Adapt to new technologies and integrate them into work processes.	In Apprenticeships: Apprentices must learn and apply tools relevant to their field—whether that’s machinery, software, or communication platforms. This includes being open to new technologies and using them safely and efficiently to complete tasks.	Learning to use a CNC machine in manufacturing or mastering digital scheduling tools in healthcare.