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ANNEX C
RATIONALE FOR SKILLS FOR WORK COURSES
1. Skills for work courses are designed to
help candidates to develop:
- skills and knowledge in a broad vocational
area;
- core skills;
- an understanding of the workplace;
- positive attitudes to learning; and
- skills and attitudes for employability.
2. A key feature of these courses is the
emphasis on experiential learning. This means learning
through practical experience and learning by reflecting on
experience.
Learning through practical experience
3. Teaching/learning programmes will
include some or all of the following:
- learning in real or simulated workplace
settings;
- learning through role play activities in
vocational contexts;
- carrying out case study work; and
- planning and carrying out practical tasks and
assignments.
Learning through reflecting at all stages of
the experience
4. Teaching/learning programmes will
include some or all of the following:
- preparing and planning for the experience;
- taking stock throughout the experience -
reviewing and adapting as necessary; and
- reflecting after the activity has been
completed - evaluating, self-assessing and
identifying learning points.
5. The Skills for work courses are also
designed to provide candidates with opportunities for
developing
core skills and enhancing skills and attitudes for
employability.
Core skills
6. The five core skills are:
- Communication;
- Numeracy;
- Information Technology;
- Problem Solving; and
- Working with Others.
Employability
7. The skills and attitudes for
employability, including self-employment, are outlined
below:
generic skills/attitudes valued by
employers
- understanding of the workplace and the
employee's responsibilities, for example
time-keeping, appearance, customer care;
- self-evaluation skills;
- positive attitude to learning;
- flexible approaches to solving problems;
- adaptability and positive attitude to change;
and
- confidence to set goals, reflect and learn from
experience.
specific vocational skills/knowledge
- Course specifications highlight the links to
National Occupational Standards in the vocational
area and identify progression opportunities.
8. Opportunities for developing these
skills and attitudes are highlighted in each of the course
and unit specifications. These opportunities include giving
pupils direct access to workplace experiences or, through
partnership arrangements, providing different learning
environments and experiences which simulate aspects of the
workplace. These experiences might include visits, visiting
speakers, role play and other practical activities.
9. A Curriculum for Excellence identifies
aspirations for every young person. These are that they
should become:
- successful learners;
- confident individuals;
- responsible citizens; and
- effective contributors.
10. The learning environments, the focus
on experiential learning and the opportunities to develop
employability and core skills in these courses contribute
to meeting these aspirations.
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