London School of Science and Technology Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Business Unit 47: EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS Assignment Title: Employability Skills Assessor Name: Tatah Amenonyoh Internal Verifier: M. Haider Issued on: 30th January 2017 Deadline: 12th May 2017 Submitted on: Student Name: Student ID: Campus: Alperton Pearson Registration Number: 12345678 Instructions & Learner Declaration  An electronic copy of your assessment must be fully uploaded by the deadline date and time.  You must submit one single PDF or MS Office Word document. Any relevant images or screenshots must be included within the same MS Office Word or PDF document.  The last version you upload will be the one that is marked. Your paper will be marked if you have indicated this as your final submission.  Review the mitigating circumstances policy for information relating to extensions.  The file size must not exceed 20MB.  Answer the criteria in order, clearly indicating the pass criteria number.  Ensure that all work has been proof-read and checked prior to submission.  Ensure that the layout of your documents are in a professional format with font style Arial, font size 12 for the text, font 14 for sub heading and font 16 for main heading, line spacing 1.5 and justified.  Use the Harvard referencing system; otherwise it will be considered as plagiarised work.  Ensure that you back-up your work regularly and apply version control to your documents.  Ensure that any file you upload is virus-free, not corrupted and not protected by a password otherwise it will be treated as a non-submission.  You must NOT submit a paper copy or email of this assessment to any member of staff at LSST.  Your work must be original with the appropriate referencing. I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully acknowledged. Signature & Date: London School of Science & Technology   1    Introduction and guidance – Employability Skills This unit gives learners an opportunity to assess and develop their interpersonal skills. Employers are often looking for skills that go beyond qualifications and experience. While your education and experience may make you eligible to apply for a job, to be successful in the role you will need to exhibit a mix of skills: ‘employability skills’. This means that the specialist, technical skills associated with different roles may be less important than the 'soft skills' that can be transferred between different jobs and different employment sectors. Therefore all learners at all levels of education and experience require honed employability skills as a prerequisite to entering the job market. This unit gives learners an opportunity to assess and develop an understanding of their own responsibilities and performance in, or when entering, the workplace. It considers the skills required for general employment, such as interpersonal and transferable skills, and the dynamics of working with others in teams or groups including leadership and communication skills. It also deals with the everyday working requirement of problem solving which includes the identification or specification of the ‘problem’, strategies for its solution and then evaluation of the results through reflective practices. London School of Science & Technology   2    Scenario for task 1.1 and 1.2 Staff members that aren’t trained properly can be a nightmare to have in any company. To combat this problem, training schemes are put in place to ensure everyone can do their job properly. But successful training programs don’t happen by themselves, and they can take a lot of organizing by Staff in HR, in particular by the training and development manager. To ensure that volunteers are trained properly, as part of BT’s continued support for the Prince’s Trust, modern apprentices, BT has recently advertised in the press that they are looking for a wellqualified and experienced Assistant HR Development Manager to take over from the outgoing Assistant HR Development Manager who was in charge of training and development at Prince’s Trust, a charity that they support. You have seen the advertisement in the press and you are very much interested in the job. As part of the application, BT HR requires that candidates prepare a portfolio which includes among others a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives and an evaluation of own effectiveness against the defined objectives. Task One - Portfolio LO1: Be able to demonstrate own responsibilities and performance. This tasks offers you an opportunity to achieve LO1:1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and M1 Tasks 1.1. &1.2 Prepare a portfolio that include a set of own responsibilities and performance Objectives and include an evaluation of your own effectiveness against the defined objectives. Guidelines: For further understanding you can refer to:- (https://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/top-ten-skills.htmand www.forbes.com/.../the-10-skills-employers-most-want-in-2015-graduat. Task 1.3 Scenario for task 1.3 BT like any other organisation has to rely on the continual development of the skills of their current and future workforce in order to maintain their competitive edge. Research has shown that high skill economies are much more likely to succeed than those that depend upon low skills and BT’s mission is to maintain their competitive edge. Choosing a career pathway is one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make. It is not just about applying for a job at a point in time and then undertaking a job role because of your past experience and role. A career is a lifelong process that involves managing your own personal and professional development throughout your working life. Therefore it is necessary for you to look into the future, both in the short and long-term, to think realistically about all you hope to London School of Science & Technology   3    achieve from work and what skills you will need to do so effectively. In view of this to maintain their competitive advantage, BT’s (HR dept.) has asked applicants to conduct a self-audit to determine their strengths and areas for development more specifically in relation to the new job. BT has also asked applicants to make recommendations how BT could help them improve those areas that they have identified for development in relation to the new job. Task 1.4 As part of the final document in the portfolio, BT requires potential applicants like you, to review and advice BT how motivational techniques can be used by staff and volunteers at Prince’s Trust to motivate the young people achieve their potential. MERITS AND DISTINCTIONS: M1: To achieve M1, you will show that you have included effective judgements in your discussion to Question 1.1 and 1.2. This will be done by demonstrating that you have evaluated own effectiveness against each of the defined prospects. London School of Science & Technology   4    Scenario for Task 2 Read this scenario carefully; Following your application and a good portfolio presented to BT HR, BT as part of its support to the Prince’s Trust, has offered you a job and you have been appointed to work as an Assistant HR Development Manager at the Prince’s Trust which has over 1,100 staff and 6,000 volunteers. As part of the Trust commitment to the young people, Prince’s Trust has realised that for sometimes the staff and volunteers have not bonded and have not been working together as a team because of their diverse backgrounds and this is a cause of great concern for the Trust whose mission is to make sure that the program help the young people achieve their potential. The main problem is lack of effective communication especially during the meetings between staff and volunteers. There have been a lot of disagreements during the meetings. The General Manager of the Trust has heard about Edward de Bono’s, lateral thinking based on his Six-Thinking Hats strategy that can be used to empower and challenge current thinking, solve problems and generate new ideas as a solution to work based problems in organizations. Task Two - Reflective Report LO2: Be able to develop interpersonal and transferable skills This tasks offers you an opportunity to achieveLO2: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and M2 Tasks 2.1 & 2.2 Write a reflective Report in which you will develop solutions to work based problems faced by BT and Princess Trust in scenario two and demonstrate how you will communicate it to your line manager and your team. You will need to use a variety of styles and appropriate manners at the various levels. Task 2.3 Identify two relevant time management strategies that you would use to improve or mitigate time management risks. MERITS AND DISTINCTIONS: M2. To achieve M2 you need to present the task on reflective report which should include: introduction, main concepts of the Six Thinking Hats, conclusion and references. Scenario for task 3 London School of Science & Technology   5    People are an organisation? The Most Important Asset. An organisation like Prince’s Trust needs staff and volunteers who are able to adapt to working with a range of different individuals and work together effectively in order to build teams that can be relied upon. Working with others involves cooperating with others, planning team goals, responsibilities and working towards achieving these goals within deadlines. Task Three Essay LO3 Understand the dynamics of working with others This tasks offers you an opportunity to achieveLO3:3.1, 3.2, 3.3, D1 and D2 Task 3.1 Explain the roles people play in a team at Prince’s Trust and how they can work together to achieve shared goals and objectives. Task 3.2 Analyse the possible team dynamics at Princes Trust. Guidelines Tuckman’s Model and Team composition Task 3.3 Suggest alternative ways that you will use to complete the tasks of workforce planning and achieve team goals within your department. Guidelines: You are required to consider the following in formulating your answer: Provide at least two methods that a leader can use to help team members complete the task. (e.g. setting direction, setting standards, motivating, innovative, responsive, effective communicator, reliability, consistency) MERITS AND DISTINCTIONS: D1: Based on the answer provided in 3.1 critically evaluate Belbin’s team’s role theory. Guidelines. To achieve D1, you will discuss the benefits and limitations of Belbin team role theory to organization such as Prince’s Trust. D2: Critically evaluate Team Dynamics. Guidelines: To achieve D2, you will have critically evaluated team dynamics in (3.2) and clearly discussed with relevant examples the importance of group development, the relevance of group development in forming a dynamic team. An analysis of team size, clarification of task and communicating clear roles. London School of Science & Technology   6    Scenario for Task 4 Problem solving skills are now of greater importance to employers at all levels of operation and like Prince’s Trust that deals with young people with diverse problems. It is important that staff and volunteer at Prince’s Trust know the different problem solving strategies that they can use in understanding the different problems faced by the young people. Understanding the different problems solving strategies is crucial for staff and volunteers in diagnosing the possible causes of the kind of problems young people at Prince’s suffer from such as homelessness, mental health problems, or trouble with the law. Task Four: Essay LO4: Be able to develop strategies for problem solving This tasks offers you an opportunity to achieve LO4: 4.1, 4.2,4.3,M3 and D3 Task 4.1 Following the above scenario, evaluate the use of different problem solving tools that can be used by staff and volunteers to develop solutions to problems. Task 4.2 Assume that the organisation outlined in the case study has suffered from lack of publicity in the last 5years. Research shows that increasing number of young peoples are unaware of the work of the Princes Trust. You are required to develop an appropriate strategy for resolving this problem. Task 4.3 Evaluate the impact of implementing the strategy selected in 4.2 on Prince’s Trust MERITS AND DISTINCTIONS: M3: Appropriate structure and approach have been used; introductions, references and conclusions have been made across the whole assignment. D3: The choice of tools and methods discussed in 4.1 have been critically analysed and justified London School of Science & Technology   7    Merits and Distinctions M1: To achieve M1, you will show that you have included effective judgements in your discussion to Question 1.1 and 1.2. This will be done by demonstrating that you have evaluated own effectiveness against each of the defined prospects. M2. To achieve M2 you are required to present task 2.1 on a Power Point (PPT) The power point slides should include introduction, conclusion and references. (8-10 slides). M3: Appropriate structure and approach have been used, introductions, references and conclusions have been made across the whole assignment.. D1: Based on the answer provided in 3.1 critically evaluate Belbin’s team’s role theory. To achieve D1, you will discuss the benefits and limitations of Belbin’s team role theory to organization such as Prince’s Trust. D2: Critically evaluate Team Dynamics. To achieve D2, you will have critically evaluated team dynamics in (3.2) and clearly discussed with relevant examples the importance of group formation, the relevance of group size, clarification of task and communicating clear roles. D3: The choice of tools and methods discussed in 4.1 have been critically analysed and justified PLEASE REMEMBER CHECK THAT YOUR ANSWERS MEET THE CRITERIA COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT CRITERIA AS YOU GO ALONG DO NOT LEAVE THINGS TO THE LAST MINUTE London School of Science & Technology   8    Assessment criteria for pass The learner can: LO1 Be able to determine own responsibilities and performance 1.1 develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives 1.2 evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives 1.3 make recommendations for improvement 1.4 review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance LO2 Be able to develop interpersonal and transferable skills 2.1 develop solutions to work based problems 2.2 communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels 2.3 identify effective time-management Strategies LO3 Understand the dynamics of working with others 3.1 explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work together to achieve shared goals 3.2 analyse team dynamics 3.3 suggest alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals LO4 Be able to develop strategies for problemsolving 4.1 evaluate tools and methods for developing solutions to problems 4.2 develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a particular problem 4.3 evaluate the potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy London School of Science & Technology   9    Merits and Distinctions M1 Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions Effective judgements have been made. M1 To achieve M1, You will show that you have included effective judgements in your discussions to Ques. 1.1 and 1.2. This will be done by demonstrating that you have evaluated own effectiveness against each of the defined objectives. M2 Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniqu es A range of sources of information have been used. M2 Appropriate structure and approach have been used, introductions and conclusions have been made across the whole assignment and a range of sources of information have been acknowledged and referenced where appropriate across the whole M3 Present and communicate appropriate findings The appropriate structure and approach have been used. M3. To achieve M3 apart from the essay, task 2.1 should also be presented on a power point slide D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions Conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified. D1: Based on the answer provided in 3.1 critically evaluate Belbin’s team’s role theory. D2 Take responsibility for managing and organising activities Substantial activities, projects or investigations have been planned, managed and organised. D2: To achieve D2, you will have critically evaluated Team Dynamics. D3 Demonstrate convergent/ lateral creative thinking Convergent and lateral thinking have been applied and a range of sources of information has been used D3: The choice of tools and methods discussed in 4.1 have been critically analysed and justified London School of Science & Technology   10    Reading List Reading and learning resources: Books: NCCER – Basic Employability Skills: Trainee Guide 00108-09 (Prentice Hall, 2009) ISBN 013609919X Thompson Leigh, L – Making the Team: A Guide for Managers (Pearson Education, 2008) ISBN 9780136037767 Additional Reading Cottrell, Stella (2010). Skills For Success. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Print. ISBN 9780230250185 Kirton, Bill. Brilliant Workplace Skills for Students & Graduates. Harlow: Prentice Hall, 2011. Print. ISBN 9780273757047 Business Essentials Management: Leading People and Professional Development: Study Text. (2015). London: BPP Learning Media (June 30, 2013). ISBN978-1445368320 Marais, D. & Perkins, J. (2012). Enhancing employability through self-assessment. Procedia – Social and Behavioural Sciences, vol 46, pp. 4356-4362. [Online] DOI: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.06.254 Rees, C., Forbes, P. &Kubler, B. (2007). Student employability profiles: A guide for higher education practitioners. Retrieved October 10, 2011, from http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/teachingandlearning/employability Knight, P. &Yorke, M. (2006). Employability: Judging and Communicating Achievements. Learning and Employability Series. York: Higher Education Academy. Further Reading Top ten employability skills - University of Kent https://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/top-ten-skills.htm The 10 Skills Employers Most Want In 2015 Graduates - Forbes www.forbes.com/.../the-10-skills-employers-most-want-in-2015-graduat. Websites: www.prospects.ac.uk www.stemnet.org.uk/resources/employability_skills_guide.cfm