OAL is currently developing two new Employability Skills Qualifications:
OAL Level 1 Award in Employability Skills – 6 credits
OAL Level 1 Certificate in Employability Skills -13 credits
Learners will have the opportunity to select units that reflect their individual needs, interests, and career aspirations. This flexible structure allows learners to tailor their learning to areas such as workplace communication, collaboration, personal development, career planning, and understanding employment rights and responsibilities. Learners have 14 units to select from.
For the:
- Award – learners have to achieve a minimum of 6 credits
- Certificate – learners have to achieve a minimum of 13 credits.
The purpose of these qualifications is to support learners to develop the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviours required to participate effectively in the workplace. The qualifications provide a broad foundation in core employability skills, enabling learners to build confidence and capability in a range of work-related contexts.
They are designed for learners who are preparing to enter employment, progressing within a current role, or seeking to improve their readiness for further training or study. The qualifications focus on developing practical workplace skills such as communication, organisation and administration, planning and prioritisation, teamwork, problem-solving, and professional behaviour.
|
Unit |
Unit Title |
Credit |
GL |
TQT |
Description |
|
1 |
Introduction to Workplace Communication |
2 |
16 |
20 |
This unit introduces learners to common methods, technologies, and expectations for professional workplace communication, as well as the importance of good communication and the security of information in the workplace. It also covers planning routine workplace communication tasks, drafting communications using appropriate methods, conventions, and safe practices, and responding appropriately to workplace communications. In addition, the unit includes reflecting on and identifying improvements in own communication. |
|
2 |
Introduction to Organisation and Administration in the Workplace |
2 |
13 |
20 |
This unit introduces learners to methods used to organise and store workplace materials and information, as well as key workplace administration processes for managing documents and maintaining secure and accessible records. It also covers using tools and techniques to store materials clearly and safely, planning and prioritising workplace tasks, and communicating task progress while working with others to complete tasks. In addition, the unit includes reviewing workplace task delivery and suggesting improvements within the remit of own responsibilities. |
|
3 |
Planning and Preparing for Workplace Tasks |
2 |
14 |
20 |
This unit introduces learners to identifying and agreeing objectives, goals, and intended outcomes for tasks or projects, as well as the resources and timeframes needed to complete them safely and effectively. It also covers organising tasks or projects into manageable stages, agreeing stages, requirements, and checks for progress and quality with a supervisor or manager, and identifying ways to recognise and manage challenges, risks, and issues. In addition, the unit includes identifying future needs or changes that may affect a task or project, and the use of tools and digital technologies to support planning and preparation. |
|
4 |
Adaptability in the Workplace |
2 |
15 |
20 |
This unit introduces learners to methods used to observe, monitor, and review changes at work, as well as basic approaches for anticipating issues and challenges in workplace tasks. It also covers using methods to observe, monitor, and review progress, and updating or adjusting workplace tasks, plans, or activities within the remit of own responsibility. In addition, the unit includes responding positively and constructively to unexpected changes or challenges. |
|
5 |
Introduction to Decision-Making and Problem-Solving in the Workplace |
2 |
14 |
20 |
This unit introduces learners to how choices, factors, benefits, and risks can be identified when making workplace decisions, as well as when tasks can be carried out independently and when support should be sought. It also covers suggesting and reviewing workplace options using available information and guidance, and making workplace decisions based on reasoning, appropriate input, and examples. In addition, the unit includes reviewing the outcomes of workplace decisions to identify key points and possible improvements. |
|
6 |
Collaboration and Teamwork |
3 |
22 |
30 |
This unit introduces learners to the value, benefits, and challenges of teamwork and collaboration, as well as the collaborative methods, tools, and technologies used when working with others. It also covers working with team members to plan shared tasks or activities, participating in group tasks and contributing to different stages of shared work, and communicating effectively throughout shared activities. In addition, the unit includes supporting the review and improvement of collaborative work within the remit of own role. |
|
7 |
Introduction to Responsibility and Accountability |
2 |
17 |
20 |
This unit introduces learners to how organisations are structured and the responsibilities within them, as well as appropriate ways to communicate with organisations, personnel, and customers. It also covers meeting agreements and completing tasks to expected standards, including working to consistent and professional approaches. In addition, the unit includes the use of straightforward problem‑solving techniques to address workplace challenges and identifies the importance of appropriate conduct and behaviour in workplace situations. |
|
8 |
Developing Professional Relationships |
2 |
15 |
20 |
This unit introduces learners to the key features, requirements, and benefits of good professional relationships, as well as the different types of professional relationships and how behaviour and communication may need to be adapted in each case. It also covers using a range of methods to develop and maintain positive professional relationships and outlines common causes of difficulty or challenge, along with basic methods for resolving issues. In addition, the unit includes reviewing professional relationships and identifying ways to improve them within the remit of own role. |
|
9 |
Initiative and Goal Setting in the Workplace |
2 |
14 |
20 |
This unit introduces learners to how constructive challenge supports improvement in work‑related contexts, as well as the value and purpose of setting goals for personal or work‑related development. It also covers setting and planning personal and work‑related goals, and planning and carrying out tasks or activities while identifying areas for improvement. In addition, the unit includes reflecting on goal setting and initiative to inform and improve future performance. |
|
10 |
Self-appraisal and Development |
2 |
15 |
20 |
This unit introduces learners to reviewing their own performance, strengths, and areas for development, as well as using feedback and evidence to identify achievements and development needs. It also introduces the idea that people in the workplace have different knowledge, skills, and contributions, and how to identify and access personal learning and development opportunities. In addition, the unit covers producing an action plan for improving knowledge, skills, and performance, and identifying personal strengths, qualities, skills, and achievements. |
|
11 |
Presenting Own Skills and Experience |
2 |
16 |
20 |
This unit introduces learners to the importance of communicating and presenting personal capabilities, work, and achievements to professional standards. It also introduces how to seek advice, guidance, and support to improve and communicate their own skills, experience, and potential. The unit covers methods for presenting work and capabilities. It includes reviewing and improving the presentation of work and personal presentation, identifying achievements and areas for self-development, and gathering and presenting evidence of personal experience, performance, and achievements. |
|
12 |
Commercial Awareness and Money |
3 |
22 |
30 |
This unit introduces learners to key financial and commercial concepts, as well as personal income and basic financial responsibilities. It also covers identifying financial risks and ways to reduce them, and the application of numeracy to simple financial tasks. In addition, the unit includes producing and using a simple budget and reviewing financial practices to identify improvements. |
|
13 |
Employment and Career Development |
3 |
25 |
30 |
This unit introduces learners to different types of work and careers. It also covers exploring and considering career options, identifying development needs and opportunities for chosen job roles or progression, and developing a professional profile. In addition, the unit includes connecting with others to support career goals, and reviewing, reflecting on, and improving career plans and actions. |
|
14 |
Introduction to Workers’ Rights and Workplace Processes |
3 |
27 |
30 |
This unit introduces learners to workers’ rights and entitlements, different employment types and conditions, contracts and job descriptions, employment payment arrangements and deductions, and what to expect when employment is ending. It also covers understanding and preparing for appraisals, and how to raise issues informally and formally in the workplace. In addition, the unit includes identifying internal and external sources of support related to employment matters. |
