Skills for Work: Overcoming Barriers
Overcoming barriers is an Entry 1 to Level 2 Skills for Work unit in which learners explore barriers at work, communicate choices, preferences and points of view, and practise strategies to challenge others constructively and build resilience. It is one 10 hour unit that learners combine with other 10 or 20 hour units into a Skills for Work, or Skills for Life and Work, Award, Certificate or Diploma. Literacy is mostly spoken: describing barriers, giving a point of view with suitable language and tone, listening to other views, challenging respectfully and reflecting on outcomes. Numeracy is light and sits only in managing time, tasks and priorities, which no criterion assesses.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Entry Level 1 to Level 2
- Guided learning hours
- 10
- First taught
- September 2027
- Amount of literacy work
- Medium
- Amount of numeracy work
- Low
How this unit is assessed
- Entry Level (Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3): Three learning outcomes (barriers in a work context, choices, preferences and points of view, and simple strategies to respond to barriers), each with separate Entry 1, Entry 2 and Entry 3 assessment criteria. Evidence goes in a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC. 10 guided learning hours.
- Level 1 and Level 2: Three learning outcomes (barriers to participation and progression, choices, preferences and points of view, and strategies to challenge others and overcome barriers), each with separate Level 1 and Level 2 assessment criteria. Evidence goes in a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC. 10 guided learning hours.
Skills that use Clarity and vocabulary
-
Giving choices and points of view with the right language and tone
Learners point out a simple choice or preference at Entry 1, give a simple point of view at Entry 3, give a point of view using appropriate language and tone at Level 1, and at Level 2 suggest views confidently and adapt communication to different work contexts or audiences. The amplification gives examples such as adjusting tone when speaking to a supervisor rather than a peer. All of this is in the assessment criteria.
Literacy: Clarity and vocabulary, Purpose
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils take turns to say which of two class jobs they would prefer and give one reason, using a sentence starter such as I would rather.
- Year 8
- Pupils role play telling a teacher and then a friend that they disagree with a group decision, and the class notes how the words and tone changed.
- Year 9
- Pupils present a reasoned view on a workplace rule, such as a phone ban on shift, first to a mock manager and then to a team meeting, adapting their language for each audience.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Entry Level, learning outcome 2, assessment criteria 2.1 and 2.2, page 5; Level 1 and Level 2, learning outcome 2, assessment criteria 2.1 and 2.2, page 6; amplification of LO2, pages 8 and 9
“Give a point of view using appropriate language and tone”
Progression step 3
I can speak clearly, recognising the appropriate language for different audiences and purposes, and varying my expression, vocabulary, tone and gestures to engage the audience.
I can share, talk and write about my thoughts, feelings and opinions using a range of techniques to show impact.
Progression step 4
I can speak clearly, selecting and adapting my language appropriately for a range of audiences and purposes, conveying meaning effectively to the audience.
I can organise talk effectively to respond to how listeners are reacting by adapting what I say and how I say it.
Progression step 5
I can present ideas and issues to meet the demands of different audiences.
Good to know
- The unit codes are S661E1, S661E2, S661E3, S661L1 and S661L2, one for each level, and the unit is 10 guided learning hours: "GLH 10" (Unit overview, page 3).
- Spoken evidence counts and long writing is not expected: "extended written work is not required unless appropriate" and judgements should not focus on "spelling or presentation unless specifically assessed" (Sources of evidence, page 10).
- Evidence can include "audio or video recordings of role play or discussions" and "question-and-answer records (oral or written)" (Sources of evidence, page 10), and Entry 1 learners may need "use of symbols, or assistive technology" (specification Section 4.2, page 19).
- Support depends on level: Entry 2 learners "may require prompts, guided questioning or scaffolded templates" (specification Section 4.2, page 19).
- AI use is allowed only when acknowledged: "When properly referenced, this can be acceptable", but misuse includes "Failing to acknowledge use of AI tools when they have been used as a source of information." (specification Section 4.6, page 21).
- Suggested assessment tasks "are not mandatory". Teachers "may choose to use these suggestions, adapt them, or develop their own alternatives" (specification Section 4.1, page 18).
- Appendix A of the specification (page 29) ticks Numeracy, Digital Competence and Planning and organisation for this unit but not Literacy, even though the pack says learners "practise Literacy through discussion, role play and reflection" (Curriculum for Wales, page 4).
Links with other qualifications
The pack names GCSE Social Studies as a linked WJEC qualification (it also names Sociology AS/A Level, which is not on this page). Within the Skills Suite it lists Personal development planning, Interview and confidence techniques, Rights and responsibilities in the workplace, Fairness and inclusion in the workplace, Building a growth mindset, Wellbeing and work, Customer service, Teamwork, Understanding self and others, Equality, diversity and inclusion and Community participation as closely related units. Interview and confidence techniques shares speaking with suitable language and tone, Teamwork shares listening and communicating effectively with others, and Personal development planning shares written reflection and action planning.
Source: WJEC Overcoming barriers unit delivery and assessment pack, read with the WJEC Entry 1 to Level 2 Skills for Life and Skills for Work specification, approved by Qualifications Wales, teaching from September 2027 (© WJEC CBAC Ltd 2026).