Course
Practicum in
LPSCS
Unit I
Employment
Skills
Essential
Question
What do employers expect from employees?
TEKS
§130.301(c)
(1)(B)(C)(F)
Prior Student
Learning
Students should have a basic understanding of
LPSCS careers.
Estimated Time
1 hour
Rationale
Workers in law, public safety, corrections, and security need to learn the skills and personal qualities important to employers and ways to demonstrate these qualities in order to be successful in their jobs
Objectives
The students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate positive work behaviors and attitudes
2. Accept constructive criticism
Engage
Play a video clip about how not to interview for a job. (For a sample article do an Internet search for: how not to interview. (Be sure you set up the video prior to viewing
—delete unnecessary ads, resize the screen so potentially inappropriate comments cannot be seen, etc.). After viewing, ask students to pick three examples from the video clip and explain in a journal how those examples would prevent someone from being hired. Use the Writing Rubric for assessment.
Key Points
I. Performance Expectations
A. Productivity
1. Equally important in jobs that produce goods and services
2. A d ay’s work for a day’s pay
B. Quality of work
1. How well a job is done
2. Poor quality cancels out high productivity
C. Good judgment
D. Safety consciousness
1. Know how to do your job (training and education)
2. Perform the way you have been trained
3. Learn and follow established safety rules
E. Care of equipment
1. Use properly to protect your employer’s investment
2. Maintain as requested
II. Work Habit and Attitude Expectations
A. Attendance and punctuality
B. Cooperation
1. Professionalism
2. Accept criticism a) Performance evaluations
1) Rate job performance, work habits, and attitudes
2) Determine pay raises and promotions b) Constructive criticism
1) Addresses behavior (not attitude)
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2) Is offered immediately
3) Includes positive points
4) Offers actions to solve problems
5) Is usually given in private
3. Avoid gossip
4. Manage stress a) Set priorities b) Practice self-management
5. Control anger a) Take a deep breath and count to 10 b) Define the problem c) Evaluate solutions d) Take action
5. Interest and enthusiasm
6. Positive attitude a) Rarely complain b) Admit mistakes c) Defines how others perceive you d) Controls your reactions to problems e) Determines how you get along with coworkers f) Draws customers
C. Honesty
D. Loyalty
1. Be positive
2. Look for solutions
3. Voice complaints in private
4. Be a team player
E. Self-management
1. Set career goals
2. Monitor work habits and performance
3. Ask for feedback
F. Self-esteem
1. Overcome doubt a) List abilities and successes b) Set reachable goals and work to achieve them c) Positive self-talk
2. Learn and grow from mistakes a) Accept that you will make mistakes; everyone does b) Accept responsibility for your mistakes c) Help to make things right d) Forgive yourself and move on
3. Be assertive a) Friendly, outgoing, and respectful b) Not arrogant
Activities
Employment Skill Assessment:
Have students complete the Employment Skill Assessment handout. Once
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completed, have students get into groups of three. Students should review their own handouts and discuss with others how they could strengthen these skills. Use the Discussion Rubric for assessment.
Assessments
Employment Skills Quiz and Key
Discussion Rubric
Individual Work Rubric
Writing Rubric
Materials
Employment Skills computer-based presentation
Employment Skill Assessment handout
Resources
9780078748288, Succeeding in the World of Work , Kimbrell, McGraw-Hill,
2008.
9780538444026, Working , Bailey, South-Western, 2007.
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, the students will match Employment Skills Key Terms to definitions using handouts prepared for them. Use the Individual Work
Rubric for assessment.
For enrichment, the students will work in groups of two and create a performance evaluation tool for an LPSCS job. Use the Individual Work
Rubric for assessment.
State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
§130.301. Practicum in Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security (Two to Three Credits).
(1) The student demonstrates professional standards as required by business and industry. The student is expected to:
(B) demonstrate positive work behaviors and attitudes such as punctuality, time management, initiative, and cooperation;
(C) accept constructive criticism;
(F) describe professional standards in protective services careers such as dress, grooming, and personal protective equipment as appropriate.
College and Career Readiness Standards
English/Language Arts Standards
III. Speaking
B. Develop effective speaking styles for both group and one-on-one situations.
1. Participate actively and effectively in one-on-one oral communication situations.
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2. Participate actively and effectively in group discussions.
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1. Productivity – a worker’s output
2. Judgment
– thinking about a problem and making the right decision
3. Punctuality – being on time
4. Cooperation – getting along with others; willingness to work well with others to reach a common goal
5. Enthusiasm – eagerness or a strong interest in something
6. Honesty – refusal to lie, steal, or mislead in any way
7. Loyalty
– believing in and being devoted to something; not criticizing; being proud of what you do and where you work
8. Attitude – your basic outlook on life; your way of looking at people and the world
9. Self-esteem – recognition and regard for yourself and your abilities
10. Assertive
– direct, honest, and polite
11. Professionalism – the ability to handle problems, criticism, and pressure gracefully and maturely
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Name:
Age:
Gender:
For each item identified below, circle the number to the right that best fits your workplace ability. Use the scale to select the appropriate number (1 is never and 5 is always). Review and identify the skills you would like to strengthen. Discuss this with the team.
Employment Skills
Gets to work on time 1 2
Scale
3 4
4.
5
Dresses appropriately for work
Works the scheduled hours for each week
Follows directions from the supervisor/employer
Is flexible/cooperates when asked to learn new tasks as a part of the job
Gets along with coworkers
Knows how and whom to tell when upset
Makes good decisions and solves problems at work
Knows what to do if sick and unable to get to work
Asks for help from the supervisor with questions about the job
Can handle constructive criticism from the supervisor
Follows and understands policies and procedures at work
Knows how to terminate the job appropriately
Does not post negative comments about the job on social networking sites
Handles self appropriately around co-workers
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5.
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Name: Date:
1. Name five things that employers expect regarding work performance: _______________,
______________________, _____________________, _____________________,
_______________________.
2. Name three things that an employee can do to perform a job more safely:
3. List four ways that an employee can be cooperative on the job:
4. True or False: Being on time and getting along with others are common employer expectations. _________
5.
A worker’s output is known as: ____________________________.
6. Thinking about a problem and making the right decision is called _________________.
7. _______________________ means being direct, honest, and polite – not arrogant.
8. Explain how a positive attitude can help you get a raise or a promotion.
9. List two important ways to make criticism constructive:
10. _______________________ is handling problems, criticism, and pressures effectively.
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1. Productivity, quality of work, good judgment, safety consciousness, care of equipment
2. – Know how to do your job (proper training and education)
– Perform the job in the way you have been trained
– Learn and follow established safety rules, such as wearing required safety equipment
3. Any four of the following
– Follow orders
– Accept assignments cheerfully
– Have a positive attitude
– Be willing to help
– Accept criticism
– Show enthusiasm
– Do not be critical
4. True
5. Productivity
6. Judgment
7. Assertive
8. Your attitude determines how you react to situations, and also how others perceive you.
A positive attitude helps control how you react and how well you get along with your employer and coworkers. Positive people like to cooperate, admit mistakes, turn negative situations into positive ones, and rarely complain. Employers are more likely to reward a person with a positive attitude.
Also, customers are drawn to people with positive attitudes, and happy customers come back for repeat business, which is good for the company.
9. Any two of the following
– Constructive criticism addresses behavior (not attitude)
– Is offered immediately
– Includes positive points
– Offers specific actions to solve the problem
– Is usually given in private
10. Professionalism
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Name_______________________________________ Date_______________________________
Objectives
Participates in group discussion
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A Pts.
Encourages others to join the conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while offering helpful recommendations to others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
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Name______________________________________
Objectives
Follows directions
Student completed the work as directed, following the directions given, in order and to the level of quality indicated
Time management
Student used time wisely and remained on task
100% of the time
Organization
Student kept notes and materials in a neat, legible, and organized manner. Information was readily retrieved
Evidence of learning
Student documented information in his or her own words and can accurately answer questions related to the information retrieved
*Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources to gather information. Student took notes while gathering information
Date_______________________________________
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement N/A Pts.
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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Name:____________________________________ Date:_____________________________
Objectives
The writing has all required parts from introduction to conclusion in smooth transition.
The writing is interesting, supportive, and complete.
The writing demonstrates that the writer comprehends the writing process.
Accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation
The content of paragraphs emphasizes appropriate points.
The writer shows an understanding of sentence structure, paragraphing, and punctuation.
All sources and references are clearly and accurately documented.
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A Pts.
Total Points (28 pts.)
Comments:
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