Producing a CV — Gatehouse Awards Vocational Employability & Work Skills

The GA Level 1 Award in Employability (Gatehouse Awards) develops essential workplace skills including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and self-management. This qualification prepares learners for employment by building confidence and practical abilities needed in modern work environments.

The GA Level 1 Award in Employability is designed to equip learners with the fundamental skills needed to succeed in the workplace. It covers key areas such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and self-management, which are essential for any job role. This qualification is ideal for those entering the workforce for the first time or looking to improve their employability prospects.

The course focuses on practical, transferable skills that are valued by employers across all industries. It helps learners understand workplace expectations, how to work effectively with others, and how to manage their own responsibilities. By completing this award, students demonstrate that they are ready for the demands of employment and can contribute positively to an organisation.

This qualification is part of the wider Employability & Work Skills suite, which prepares learners for the world of work. It builds on basic skills and provides a foundation for further study or apprenticeships. The knowledge gained is applicable in real-world scenarios, making it a valuable addition to any CV.

• →Communication: Verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills for effective interaction in the workplace.
• →Teamwork: Working collaboratively with others to achieve common goals, including listening, sharing ideas, and supporting colleagues.
• →Problem-solving: Identifying issues, analysing options, and implementing solutions to overcome challenges.
• →Self-management: Taking responsibility for your own actions, time management, and meeting deadlines.
• →Workplace etiquette: Understanding professional behaviour, dress codes, and respect for others.

• Award credit for correctly identifying at least four standard CV sections (e.g., personal details, education, work experience, skills)
• Award credit for explaining why referees are important (e.g., to verify information, provide character references) and who might be suitable (e.g., previous employer, teacher)
• Award credit for producing a CV that is accurate, well-organised, and free from spelling or grammatical errors
• Award credit for including appropriate referee details (name, job title, contact information) with permission

• 💡Always check the job description and tailor your CV to highlight relevant skills and experiences
• 💡Use a clear, simple layout with headings and bullet points to improve readability
• 💡Ensure all contact details are up-to-date and professional
• 💡Proofread your CV multiple times and ask someone else to check it for errors
• 💡Always use specific examples from your own experience or plausible scenarios. Generic answers lose marks.
• 💡Read the question carefully and identify the command word (e.g., describe, explain, evaluate) to tailor your response.
• 💡Structure your answers clearly: point, example, explanation. This ensures you cover all mark scheme criteria.

• Including irrelevant or overly personal information (e.g., age, marital status) that is not required on a CV
• Using an unprofessional email address or failing to proofread for errors
• Not tailoring the CV to the specific job, making it generic
• Choosing referees who are not suitable or not obtaining their permission before listing them
• Misconception: Employability skills are only needed for interviews. Correction: They are used daily in the workplace, from communicating with colleagues to managing your workload.
• Misconception: Teamwork means doing everything together. Correction: Effective teamwork involves dividing tasks based on strengths and working independently on your part while coordinating with others.
• Misconception: Self-management is just about being organised. Correction: It also includes staying motivated, being reliable, and taking initiative without being told.

1. 1Week 1: Focus on communication and teamwork. Review key concepts, watch videos of workplace scenarios, and practise answering questions using the STAR method.
2. 2Week 2: Focus on problem-solving and self-management. Create a revision poster of key terms and examples. Practise past paper questions under timed conditions.
3. 3Week 3: Consolidate all skills. Take a full mock exam, review your answers, and identify weak areas. Revise those topics again.
4. 4Week 4: Final revision. Use active recall prompts to test yourself daily. Ensure you can define each skill and give a workplace example without notes.

• 📋Multiple-choice questions: Test definitions of key terms. Read each option carefully and eliminate obvious wrong answers.
• 📋Short-answer questions: Require a brief explanation of a concept, e.g., 'What is teamwork?' Give a definition and one example.
• 📋Scenario-based questions: Present a workplace situation and ask how you would respond. Use the STAR method to structure your answer.
• 📋Extended writing questions: Ask you to evaluate or discuss a topic. Plan your answer with an introduction, main points, and conclusion.

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