Developing workplace skills
This is a menu of workplace skills that apply to a range of work settings and sectors. The
focus is on developing and recording what the trainee can do.
It has been complied with reference to occupational standards and with advice from
experienced assessors and employers. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list. It can
be used to cut and paste appropriate skills into the ‘developing workplace skills’ section of
the Traineeship placement record. Training providers can add additional sectors that they
support and any particular skills that are part of qualifications their trainees are undertaking.
For placements in a small business the skills can be selected from a range of settings.
Specific skills appropriate to the placement can be added as part of the placement induction
Workplace skills – office based
placement
Communicate effectively with coworkers
Communicate effectively with
customers/clients in person
Communicate effectively with
customers/clients on the telephone
Take telephone messages and pass
them on appropriately
Handle incoming and outgoing mail
efficiently
Create an modify documents using word
processing software
Use a company database to input or
extract information
Find and store documents in the
company filing system
Use office equipment effectively
Workplace skills – trade service
placement
Communicate effectively with coworkers
Communicate effectively with customers
Demonstrate understanding of health
and safety requirements and observe
safe working practices
Care for and store tools appropriately
Select appropriate tools/materials for a
job
Use a range of tools safely
Assist with a service or maintenance
task
Follow a work plan
Create a work plan
Workplace skills – retail placement
Communicate effectively with coworkers
Communicate effectively with customers
Find an item that a customer is looking
for
Advise a customer about a purchase
Keep the sales environment tidy
Replenish stock according to company
guidelines
Handle cash and card purchases using
the company till procedures
Set up and maintain a promotional
display
Produced as part of the Traineeship Staff Support Programme
Commissioned and funded by the Education and Training Foundation
www.traineeship-staff-support.co.uk
Workplace skills – warehouse
placement
Communicate effectively with coworkers
Demonstrate understanding of health
and safety requirements and observe
safe working practices
Store incoming items accurately
according to company systems
Retrieve items accurately
Use a stock records system to locate an
item
Assemble and dispatch an order
Update a stock records system
Keep the storage and loading
environment tidy
Load and unload vehicles safely
Use suitable handling methods to move
stock safely
Workplace skills – workshop
placement
Communicate effectively with coworkers
Demonstrate understanding of health
and safety requirements and observe
safe working practices
Prepare a work area and ensure it is
safe
Keep the workshop tidy
Care for and store tools appropriately
Select appropriate tools for a job
Use a range of tools safely
Assist with a production or maintenance
task
Follow a work plan for a production or
maintenance task
Create a work plan for a production or
maintenance task
Workplace skills – adult care
placement
Communicate effectively with staff
Show care and respect for service users
Recognise and respond to individual
needs
Work well in a team
Notice what is going on around you and
respond appropriately
Ask for help when needed
Follow correct procedures for safe
working and infection control
Support mealtimes
Support a social or leisure activity
Workplace skills – early years
placement
Interact with and respond to adults
appropriately
Interact with and respond to babies and
children appropriately
Prepare and maintain a safe and
stimulating play and learning
environment
Notice what is going on around you and
respond appropriately
Support and encourage a child with play
activity
Take part in and support an outdoor
activity
Read a story to a child
Take part in and support an action song
with a group of children
Prepare and support a craft activity for
a group of children
Support with mealtimes