Skills for Work: Rights and Responsibilities in the Workplace

Good to know

• Every level is the same size: each unit record shows "GLH 20" and "Credit: 2" (unit headers, pages 68, 71, 73, 75 and 77). The Pearson unit of the same name is 10 guided learning hours.
• Command words set the literacy level. List means "State an answer in short sentences or a few words", Outline means "Give the main characteristics or key points/features", and Describe asks learners to "provide detailed and factual information about an item/topic in a logical way" (Command Word Definitions, page 93).
• Reflection has a set meaning: Reflect is "To consider what worked, what didn’t, and how they could improve next time" (Command Word Definitions, page 94).
• Speaking is assessed through role-play: the challenge criterion is "To be demonstrated in a simulated setting" and evidenced by video and/or annotated photographs with an assessor observation statement (amplification AC 2.3, page 69; Prescribed Assessment Methods, page 70).
• Evidence does not have to be written: the permitted formats are "Digital (or written) documents", "Audio content", "Video content" and an e-portfolio (Appendix A, Permitted evidence types, page 106).
• Writing is done once: "Drafting and redrafting are not permitted in this summative task." and feedback "must not be provided once the summative task has started" (Appendix A, Teacher support and feedback, page 106).
• Learners bring notes they wrote themselves: "Learners must produce their own reference materials" (Appendix A, Resources and AI, page 106).
• Assessment time is short: "20 GLH incorporates assessment time of no more than 60 minutes." (Appendix A, Duration and timing, page 106).
• There is no second attempt: "There are no resubmission opportunities available for these qualifications." (Section Five, Resubmissions, page 99).
• The unit's own mapping names both frameworks: for Literacy it "Encourages clear and professional communication in writing and speech" and "Supports active listening skills", and for Numeracy it "Develops understanding of equal pay and financial rights" (unit mapping, page 79). The cross curricular skills summary at the end of the unit lists only Literacy and Digital Competence (page 78).
• The levels do not step up evenly. Entry 3 asks for "At least four legal responsibilities" (page 73), but Level 1 and Level 2 ask for three. Level 1 AC 1.2 names employers, peers and themselves, but the amplification asks for "At least two responsibilities" (page 71), so one group can be left out. Entry 3 asks for two ways of challenging employers and none for peers (page 74), while Level 1 and Level 2 ask for one of each.

Links with other qualifications

Describing rights and responsibilities in organised writing, and speaking in role to raise a concern, support GCSE English Language and Literature and GCSE Cymraeg Language and Literature. The work on employment law, equal pay and fair treatment links with GCSE Social Studies, and the employer and employee duties give context for GCSE Business. Agored Cymru lists Fairness and Inclusion in the Workplace, Working in Wales and Wellbeing and Work among its 19 Skills for Work units, and Everyday Law, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Financial Literacy among its Skills for Life units; Financial Literacy is where pay calculations would be taught. Compared with the WJEC unit of the same name, the Agored unit is the same size (20 guided learning hours) but does not ask learners to read an employment contract or research an advice organisation, so it has less reading and none of the contract numeracy on pay, hours and holidays; instead it adds a required role-play and a reflection on how well the challenge worked. Compared with the Pearson unit, which is 10 guided learning hours with one broad criterion per level and allows one resubmission at the centre's discretion, the Agored unit has more criteria, more speaking and no redrafting or resubmission.