Language-enhanced cognitive skills model

This is a model of cognitive skills required in the workplace which enhance previous models by including a more detailed measurement of linguistic skills. Linguistic skills are defined as the set of abilities, competencies and knowledge which principally involve the use of linguistic code. More specifically, the linguistic items used are reading and writing competencies, ability to speak, listen or communicate, as well as knowledge of second languages (as a whole). These variables were factorialised together with a list of competencies from previous models of cognitive skills. Principal component analysis (PCA) with equamax rotation was applied to reduce the dimensionality of all items to a few interpretable dimensions according to the correlations between them. The result is nine factors with similar variances among at least three express linguistic-related skills: The first factor expresses the demand for scientific and engineering knowledge. The second refers to a collection of competencies which could be called verbal-reasoning. These include deductive and inductive reasoning skills or those of identifying and solving complex problems. Some linguistic competencies relating to the level of oral and written comprehension and expression are also relevant in this factor. The third factor expresses numerical or quantitative competencies. The fourth expresses the demand for communicative competencies, composed of variables related to efficient communication goals such as clarity of speech, active listening or speaking. The fifth factor expresses creative abilities. The sixth, competencies and knowledge linked to electronics and computers. The seventh expresses managerial competencies. The eighth expresses nurturing competencies and the ninth factor basically expresses knowledge of foreign languages.