Exercise name:
Key skills in different jobs
Theoretical background:
Key skills have become an important
concept in the UK where they are used to
describe the generic (i.e. not job-specific)
skills which are needed by students in their
courses and employees in their jobs.
Target group:
Students aged 14 – 19
Exercise description:
The concept of key skills is introduced and
the skills themselves are identified, using
student feedback in the first instance.
Students are then given a range of jobs and
asked to identify which skills are needed
and how they are used.
Pedagogical aim:
To make the students think about the skills
they will require in work and how these can
be developed at school and university.
Time:
60 minutes
Resources needed:
Photocopier
This exercise has been kindly donated by Connexions, Birmingham & Solihull.
Key Skills in Different Jobs – Teacher Notes
Ask the class to brainstorm:
a)
how many key skills there are
b)
what those key skills are
c)
why key skills are important - and to whom
Answers:
a)
6
b)
communication,
application of number,
IT,
working with others,
problem solving
improving own learning and performance.
c)
they are important in personal and professional
life. You may be asked about your key skills
during an interview for college, university, a job or
with a training provider.
Ask the class if they can think of examples for each key skill.
Divide the class into up to 7 small groups and distribute a set of worksheets –
“ Key Skills in Different Jobs” to each group.
Ask them to think of the key skills that that job would require and enter the answers in
the first column. In the second column they need to enter when that key skill may be
used.
For example, receptionist – communication – used when dealing with enquiries on the
telephone and receiving visitors.
Not all of the jobs will involve use of all the key skills.
When completed, ask students to complete a worksheet on another job.
Allow time for feedback and discussion on the task.
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Physiotherapist
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Doctor
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Judge
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Police Officer
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Receptionist
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Estate Agent
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Scientist
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Civil Engineer
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Bricklayer
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Horse Riding Instructor
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Farmer
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Firefighter
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Photographer
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Professional Footballer
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Professional Tennis Player
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Actor
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Hairdresser
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Professional Musician
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Chef
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Food Service Assistant
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Dentist
Key skill
How is it used?
Key Skills in Different Jobs
Job title: Postal Worker
Key skill
How is it used?