module specification

Employability in the Community Sector promotes and tests the development of employability skills for people who want to work in the community sector. This could be in community work or in a range of community outreach roles in, for example, housing, health or education. Students will complete an ‘assessment centre’, a method commonly used in selecting job applicants. This will involve interview skills, writing and logic tests. Students will be tested on their employability skills, and will be encouraged to address gaps in their knowledge and experience of their chosen area of employment. The module is assessed through portfolios. The module is taught over 15 weeks in the Spring semester.

None

The overall aims of the module are to

Develop employability skills in interview skills, writing and completing job applications (A01);
Encourage students to reflect critically on their own performance in management and employability tasks, and identify gaps in their employability skills (A02); and
Develop research skills in employability (A03).

Content: (list)
The right approach to employment skills;
How to complete role playing in job situations;
Presentations for interviews;
How to pass employment skills tests, such as work prioritisation tests;
Writing for employment;
Job application skills; and
Interview skills.

The module will be taught through a mixture of weekly lectures of one hour duration and one-two hour workshop sessions.

The module will adopt a range of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, guest speakers, group work, role-play/reflections, visits and independent supported learning. A student-centred approach will be adopted involving an independent supported learning environment.
Tasks and information will be provided through weblearn.

Week by week, students will focus on the skills that they need to get employment, and the challenges they will face in job applications. This will be a virtual assessment centre, with exercises on writing applications; logic tests; prioritising work and in-tray exercises; interview techniques. Students will receive feedback as the term progresses but are not marked on their performance, but on their ability to reflect critically on their performance and on addressing gaps in skills and knowledge.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

Write for employment, perform in interviews and prioritise workloads (L01);
Critically reflect on their employability skills, and identify employment-related skills gaps; (L02)
Develop a structured plan to improve their employability; (L03) and
Carry out research into employability opportunities and skills (L04).

The module will be assessed through two self reflective reports. The first part (1750 words) will reflect on how well the student has addressed employability skills in general. Students will be required to reflect on how well they have addressed the different elements of the employment assessment centre, to identify the gaps in their skills in knowledge to gain relevant employment. (LO1) (LO2) (LO4)

The second self reflective report (750 words) will reflect on performance in the interview. It will focus on interview skills, how well they completed the interview. (LO1) (LO2) (L03)

Significant amounts of background material will be placed on Weblearn.
English, P. The Succeeding at Interviews Pocketbook. Arlesford: Management Pocketbooks Ltd.