It is important for students to view key skills as integral to their learning process rather than as an 'add on' for them to be valued. This can be encouraged by emphasising the importance of key skills in a learning environment and in the workplace.

Students need help to articulate the skills they have developed, and must be given the opportunity to practice identifying skills. As an aid key skills should be explicitly stated as learning outcomes in project briefs.

Many students find reflective practice difficult. It needs to be introduced and explained to them clearly, giving examples of how reflection has been used by past students and providing opportunities to practice this skill. Reflection on the learning process can lead a student away from passive learning and encourage them to take responsibility for their own learning. It can increase the confidence of students in their own skills (see Approaches to Learning).

Difficulties can arise regarding whether to assess key skills as well as subject specific skills. Students perceive or are conditioned that if a skill is not assessed it is not valued. Strict assessment criteria closely matched to learning outcomes must be observed if 'fairness' is to be observed (see Working in Small Groups). Involving students in producing assessment criteria can also be beneficial. It can help to emphasise why a project is taking place and what is important within the project (see Investigative Case Studies).