Key skills in different jobs
Theoretical background:
Key skills have become an important concept in the UK where they are used to describe
the generic (i.e. not job-specific) skills which are needed by students in their courses and
employees in their jobs.
Target group:
Students aged 14 – 19
exercise description:
The concept of key skills is introduced and the skills themselves are identified, using stu-
dent feedback in the first instance. Students are then given a range of jobs and asked to
identify which skills are needed and how they are used.
Pedagogical aim:
To make the students think about the skills they will require in work and how these can be
developed at school and university.
Time: 60 minutes
resources needed: Photocopier
Key skills in different jobs – Teacher notes
Ask the class to brainstorm:
a) how many key skills there are
b) what those key skills are
c) why key skills are important - and to whom
answers:
a) 6
b) communication,
application of number,