Action Planning to Improve Performance — Laser Learning Awards QCF Employability & Work Skills Revision

    This topic covers recognising personal strengths and areas for improvement, and setting a target for performance improvement. Learners will develop action

    Topic Synopsis

    This topic covers recognising personal strengths and areas for improvement, and setting a target for performance improvement. Learners will develop action planning skills.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Action Planning to Improve Performance

    LASER LEARNING AWARDS
    vocational

    This topic covers recognising personal strengths and areas for improvement, and setting a target for performance improvement. Learners will develop action planning skills.

    3
    Learning Outcomes
    9
    Assessment Guidance
    9
    Key Skills
    3
    Key Terms
    11
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    Laser Entry Level Diploma in Preparing to Get a Job (Entry 2)
    Laser Entry Level Certificate in Preparing to Get a Job (Entry 2)
    Laser Entry Level Award in Preparing to Get a Job (Entry 2)

    Topic Overview

    The Laser Entry Level Diploma in Preparing to Get a Job (Entry 2) is a foundational qualification designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to embark on your employment journey. At Entry 2, the focus is on practical, actionable steps, including identifying your personal strengths and qualities, understanding the diverse world of work, and learning how to effectively search for and apply for entry-level job vacancies. This diploma builds crucial confidence and provides a structured pathway into the job market, making the process of finding work less daunting.

    Gaining this qualification is incredibly valuable because it provides a clear framework for understanding your own potential and how it aligns with employer needs. Even if you have limited or no formal work experience, this diploma helps you recognise and articulate the value of your personal attributes, transferable skills, and willingness to learn. Mastering these initial steps significantly enhances your readiness for employment, improves your chances of securing an entry-level position, and lays a solid groundwork for further career development and progression.

    This diploma is a key component within the broader Employability & Work Skills framework offered by Laser Learning Awards, which aims to develop vital life skills for individuals. It serves as an excellent stepping stone, preparing you not only for direct entry into the workforce but also for potentially pursuing more advanced qualifications in employment skills, such as Entry 3 or Level 1 diplomas. By focusing on practical application and real-world scenarios, it effectively bridges the gap between educational settings and the demands of the workplace.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Identifying personal skills, qualities, and interests relevant to different job roles.
    • →Understanding various types of job roles and effective methods for finding job vacancies (online, local, etc.).
    • →Accurately completing basic job application forms and understanding the information required.
    • →Preparing for and participating in a simple job interview, including basic communication and presentation skills.
    • →Understanding fundamental workplace expectations, responsibilities, and the importance of reliability and teamwork.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Be able to recognise some of his/her strengths., Be able to recognise areas for self improvement., Be able to identify a personal target for improvement.
    • Be able to recognise some of his/her strengths., Be able to recognise areas for self improvement., Be able to identify a personal target for improvement.
    • Be able to recognise some of his/her strengths., Be able to recognise areas for self improvement., Be able to identify a personal target for improvement.

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Identify at least one personal strength.
    • Identify an area for self-improvement.
    • Set a simple, realistic target.
    • Describe steps to achieve the target.
    • Identifies at least one personal strength with a relevant example.
    • Recognises an area for self-improvement and explains why.
    • Sets a realistic personal target for improvement.
    • Describes steps to achieve the target.
    • Award credit when the learner provides at least one specific personal strength, even if described in simple terms (e.g., 'I am good at helping people').
    • Award credit for identifying a clear area for improvement relevant to work or daily life (e.g., 'I need to practice writing').
    • Award credit for a personal target that is specific, measurable, and realistic within a short timeframe (e.g., 'I will arrive on time every day this week').

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Use SMART criteria for targets.
    • 💡Be honest about strengths and weaknesses.
    • 💡Break target into small steps.
    • 💡Think about tasks you have done well and what made them successful.
    • 💡Choose a target that is specific and achievable within a short time.
    • 💡Break down the target into small, manageable steps.
    • 💡Support learners to link strengths to real-life examples, such as tasks done at home or in a volunteering role.
    • 💡Use visual planning tools like a simple action chart or sticker reward system to make the target tangible and trackable.
    • 💡Encourage the learner to practice verbalising their strengths and target to an assessor, as oral evidence is often accepted at this level.
    • 💡Show, Don't Just Tell: For practical tasks or questions asking about your skills, provide specific examples or demonstrate your understanding by accurately completing forms. Simply stating you know something is less impactful than proving it.
    • 💡Read Carefully and Answer the Question: At Entry 2, questions are usually straightforward. Take your time to fully understand what is being asked and provide a direct, relevant answer without including unnecessary information.
    • 💡Be Specific with Your Skills: When discussing your skills or qualities, back them up with concrete examples. Instead of saying "I am organised," say "I am organised because I always plan my tasks for the day and keep my workspace tidy."

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Setting vague or unrealistic targets.
    • Not linking target to improvement area.
    • Forgetting to review progress.
    • Listing strengths without evidence or examples.
    • Setting targets that are too vague or unrealistic.
    • Failing to connect the target to the identified area for improvement.
    • Confusing personal strengths with hobbies or preferences rather than actual capabilities (e.g., saying 'I like football' instead of 'I am a good team player').
    • Being unable to identify any area for improvement, responding 'I am fine' or copying others’ answers.
    • Choosing a target that is too vague or long-term, such as 'get a job', rather than a concrete step like 'create a CV draft'.
    • "I need lots of formal qualifications to get any job." Correction: Many entry-level jobs prioritise practical skills, a positive attitude, reliability, and a willingness to learn over extensive formal qualifications. This diploma helps you highlight these valuable attributes.
    • "Applying for jobs is just about filling in forms." Correction: While forms are important, effective job searching involves much more, including understanding job adverts, tailoring your application to the specific role, and thoroughly preparing for interviews to make a strong impression.
    • "My personal hobbies and interests aren't relevant to getting a job." Correction: Your hobbies and interests often demonstrate highly valuable transferable skills like teamwork, organisation, problem-solving, and communication, which are very attractive to employers. Learning to articulate these is key.

    Revision Plan

    How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks

    1. 1Week 1, Day 1-3: Self-Assessment & Skills Identification. Begin by listing your personal skills, qualities, and interests. Use the course materials to help you identify how these attributes could be valuable in various entry-level job roles. Reflect on past experiences (school, hobbies, home life) where you demonstrated these skills.
    2. 2Week 1, Day 4-5: Job Exploration & Research. Actively research different types of entry-level jobs available in your local area or online. Practise finding job adverts, identifying key requirements, and understanding the basic duties involved in various roles.
    3. 3Week 2, Day 1-3: Application Form Practice. Work through example job application forms provided in your course materials or found online. Focus on filling in all sections accurately, neatly, and completely. Pay close attention to spelling and grammar. Ask a tutor or trusted friend to review your practice forms.
    4. 4Week 2, Day 4-5: Interview Preparation & Role-Play. Learn about common interview questions for entry-level positions. Practise answering them out loud, focusing on clear and concise responses. Consider what you would wear and how you would present yourself. If possible, do a mock interview with a tutor or peer.
    5. 5Throughout your study: Regularly review your notes and key concepts. Discuss what you've learned with your tutor or classmates to solidify your understanding and gain different perspectives. Apply what you're learning to real-world examples whenever possible.

    Exam Question Types

    How this topic typically appears in the exam

    • 📋Short Answer Questions: These require you to provide brief, direct answers, such as "Name two personal qualities that are important for working in a team." Advice: Ensure your answers are clear, concise, and directly address the question.
    • 📋Practical Task Completion: You might be asked to complete a basic job application form using provided information or identify key details from a job advert. Advice: Pay meticulous attention to detail, neatness, and accuracy. Ensure all required fields are completed.
    • 📋Matching Exercises: These questions involve matching items from one list to another, for example, matching a job role to its primary duty or a skill to its definition. Advice: Read both columns carefully and eliminate options you are certain about first to narrow down choices.
    • 📋Scenario-Based Questions: You may be presented with a short scenario and asked what you would do or how you would respond, such as "You have an interview next week. What three things should you do to prepare?" Advice: Think practically and list logical, sequential steps or actions.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic literacy skills (ability to read and understand simple instructions, job adverts, and forms).
    • •Basic numeracy skills (understanding simple figures, dates, and times).
    • •A willingness to engage in self-reflection and learn about the world of work.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Be able to recognise some of his/her strengths., Be able to recognise areas for self improvement., Be able to identify a personal target for improvement.
    • Be able to recognise some of his/her strengths., Be able to recognise areas for self improvement., Be able to identify a personal target for improvement.
    • Be able to recognise some of his/her strengths., Be able to recognise areas for self improvement., Be able to identify a personal target for improvement.

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