Maximising Workplace Skills

Overview

This 120-minute lesson is designed for Entry Level 3 students aged 16-25 with SEND, focusing on employability and life skills under the National Curriculum for England framework. It aims to develop learners’ understanding of how to be proactive, effective, and confident in their workplace settings. Through practical and interactive activities, students will grasp techniques to get more from their workplace experiences, enhancing communication, initiative, and problem-solving skills aligned with employability standards.

National Curriculum Links

Employability & Life Skills (Entry Level 3) – Functional Skills / Personal Development:
- Communicate information clearly in familiar contexts
- Work independently or with support, demonstrating initiative
- Recognise opportunities and respond appropriately in work settings
- Develop awareness of self and others to work effectively with colleagues
- Reflect on own progress and set achievable goals
PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education):
- Developing personal skills for employment

Lesson Objectives (WALT)

WALT identify ways to improve and maximise our experience at work placements or jobs.
WALT develop communication and problem-solving skills in the workplace.
WALT demonstrate positive workplace behaviours such as initiative, reliability, and teamwork.

Success Criteria

I can list at least three ways to get more from my workplace.
I can describe and role-play how to communicate well with colleagues and supervisors.
I can explain why being reliable and taking initiative is important at work.
I can set a personal goal related to improving workplace skills.

Resources

Scenario cards featuring common workplace situations
Whiteboard and markers
Workplace vocabulary flashcards
Worksheets for reflection and goal setting
Role-play props (badges, clipboards, etc.)
Video clips showing workplace skills (e.g., teamwork, communication)

Lesson Breakdown

Introduction (15 minutes)

Explain the session’s aims using simple language (WALT and success criteria written visibly).
Icebreaker: “My best workplace skill” – each student shares one thing they think they do well at work or would like to improve.
Recap on the importance of developing workplace skills as per the National Curriculum employability aims.

Activity 1: Understanding Workplace Success (25 minutes)

Group brainstorm on “What makes someone successful at work?” Write answers on the board.
Introduce key skills such as communication, reliability, initiative, and teamwork, linking back to curriculum standards where learners are expected to demonstrate these skills.
Discuss real-life examples tailored to learners’ experience.

Activity 2: Scenario Role-Play (30 minutes)

Hand out workplace scenario cards featuring common issues or opportunities (e.g. asking for help, showing initiative, resolving a small conflict).
In pairs, students role-play these scenarios practising positive communication and problem-solving skills.
Other students give positive feedback using a simple checklist (e.g., Did they listen? Did they speak clearly? Did they suggest a solution?).
Teacher facilitates and scaffolds as needed, ensuring differentiation (e.g. prompts for learners with communication difficulties, simplified role cards, visual aids).

Break (10 minutes)

Activity 3: Setting Personal Workplace Goals (20 minutes)

Students complete a worksheet reflecting on:
- What they do well at work
- One thing they could improve
- One new skill they want to learn or improve at work
Discuss how setting small goals fits into workplace success and employability standards.
Teacher supports learners to use clear, achievable language for their goals.

Extension Activity for Advanced Learners

Challenge learners to create a short presentation or poster titled “How I will get more from my workplace,” showcasing their personal goals and strategies.
Encourage vocabulary expansion with more formal workplace language and self-assessment language.

Plenary: Reflect and Share (20 minutes)

Group discussion: What was easiest or hardest about today’s activities?
Share one thing they will try to do differently at their workplace or placement.
Reinforce key messages linked to curriculum objectives, summarising how these skills contribute to employability and life skills post-16.

Differentiation Strategies

Use visual aids and simplified language for learners with communication or cognitive difficulties.
Provide sentence starters and role-play prompts for learners who need extra support.
Pair up mixed ability students so peer support is encouraged.
Use assistive technology or communication devices as needed.
For learners with higher ability, integrate reflective questioning and formal workplace vocabulary.

Assessment Opportunities

Observation of role-play using a simple rubric aligned with communication, initiative, and teamwork skills criteria.
Review of goal-setting worksheets to monitor understanding of workplace improvement strategies.
Informal oral questioning and feedback during group discussions to confirm retention of key learning points.

Cross-Curricular Links

English functional skills through communication and presentation practice.
Citizenship through understanding rights and responsibilities at work.
ICT (optional extension) for creating presentations or posters.

This plan aims to create an engaging, practical, and supportive learning environment for SEND learners to actively improve employability skills aligned with the English National Curriculum requirements for post-16 learners.