Applying practical skills to use tools effectively
Technical skills are the practical abilities that allow you to operate and maintain physical or digital tools accurately, efficiently, and safely. They help turn ideas, plans, or concepts into real outputs.
Technical skills definition
To apply practical techniques to effectively operate and maintain tools.
How technical skills show up in your learning
Technical skills are about applying tools and methods accurately and safely - and being able to learn new ones as technology changes.
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Operate equipment or software accurately
You follow precise protocols to calibrate studio equipment or use specialised design software to ensure your project meets professional standards. Mastering these tools builds the technical knowledge that employers care about.
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Apply techniques in labs, studios, or fieldwork
You use specific field-testing methods to gather data during a site visit, ensuring your findings are grounded in practical, hands-on experience. Applying these techniques in real-world contexts helps you further develop the enduring technical skills gained in your classes.
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Troubleshoot technical issues
When your software crashes or a piece of equipment malfunctions, you methodically test different solutions to identify and fix the problem. This ability to navigate technical hurdles shows that your experiences inside and outside of the classroom all contribute to building the enduring human skills you’ll carry into work.
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Learn new tools independently
You take the initiative to watch a tutorial or read a manual to master a new digital platform required for your latest assignment. Learning how to teach yourself new tools turns learning into insight, building the confidence and self-awareness needed for a successful lifelong learning journey.
How you build technical skills at university
You develop this skill through:
Practical assignments and applied projects
Labs, studios, and fieldwork
Repeated practice and experimentation
These experiences help you learn how technical skills leads to stronger outcomes.
How to recognise technical skills in yourself
Try reflecting on questions like
What tools or techniques did I apply?
How did I learn or adapt to new tools?
How did accuracy or safety matter?
Being able to answer these questions helps you describe your technical skills in meaningful, concrete terms.
How students often describe this skill
Instead of saying:
“I used specialised tools.”
You might say:
“I applied technical tools and techniques accurately and adapted to new systems as required.”
This shifts the focus from the task to the reasoning behind it.
Why technical skills matter beyond university
Technical skills support independence, confidence, and practical impact across roles and industries.
Want to explore this further?
Reflect on the tools you use in your studies, or use the Skills Bot to practise articulating your technical skills.
