Careers
Preparation
Level 1
Welsh College of Horticulture
Registration Page
Name:
Address:
Tel No:
Course: Year:
Course Tutor: Ext No:
Programme Area:
Section Head: Ext No:
THE COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT
The Welsh College of Horticulture is committed to providing high quality, cost effective
education and training for all students.
The programmes offered will reflect academic progression for individuals, the needs of
industry and those in the local community.
The programmes will be delivered in a caring supportive environment, by specialist staff and
appropriate to the needs of individual students.
The College will continue to seek links with prospective clients or other training organisations
to improve and enhance the range of learning programmes available.
Welsh College of Horticulture
Holywell Road
Northop
Nr. Mold
Flintshire
CH7 6AA
Tel: 01352 841000
Fax: 01352 841031
Internet: http://www.wcoh.ac.uk
WHO CAN HELP YOU WHILE YOU ARE IN COLLEGE?
Careers Advisors - Careers Wales - Margaret Gladwell
WCOH - Julie Pritchard
Employment
Service - Mold - 01352 894400
Chester - 01244 583000
Wrexham - 01978 203400
Rhyl - 01745 455900
Holywell - 01352 869300
Flint - 01352 896400
Prestatyn - 01745 455700
Careers Offices -
(Careers Wales) Mold - 01352 750456
Wrexham - 01978 266802
Holywell - 01352 712314
Flint - 01352 732350
Deeside - 01244 813316
(Careers Company)
Rhyl - 01745 330012
LIBRARY/RESOURCES CENTRE
The Library stocks a range of books related to college courses. Reference material, including
newspapers, periodicals and CD-ROMs can be used within the libraries, and some CD-ROM
material is stored on the main student network. Career guides and college prospectuses are
stocked. Student photocopying facilities are based in the Library.
COMPUTER FACILITIES
There are computer facilities available for students to use for assignments, projects and
careers advice and guidance. All students have access to Email and the Internet and the
college has a comprehensive Web site giving details of courses, staff contacts and other
useful information. http://www.wcoh.ac.uk
STUDENT SERVICES
Staff in Student Services will be pleased to help you. You may contact the Library to make
appointments for career interviews
LEARNING SUPPORT WORKSHOPS
Facilities are available for students who require some extra help with communication,
numeracy or information technology skills to help you succeed.
Support staff can offer help in developing –
PLANNING, WRITING
AND EVALUATING –
Essays, assignments,
projects and reports
Reading Assessing and
technique selecting information
Planning and
Note taking STUDY
giving a talk
SKILLS
Examination Listening Skills
techniques
Using Resources
For more details about what the workshop can offer you contact Sue Davies.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
When you have successfully completed your present programme of study, you can use it in a
variety of ways. You can continue in Further Education, at a higher level; you can progress
to Higher Education, possibly on a HND or degree programme; or you can seek employment,
with the possibility of further training as part of the job. On-the-job training is generally
based on NVQ programmes, possibly through a Modern Apprenticeship or National
Traineeship. Details of these are available from the Careers Officer.
INTRODUCTION
As a Student at the Welsh College of Horticulture, it is important to complete all tasks in
whichever level of this workbook you are advised to do, to show that you have gained as
much as possible from it. Your Careers Education tutor should be your first line of help for
any difficulties you may have while working through the book, although you can also seek
advice from the librarian and other people in Student Services.
The tasks in this workbook have been designed to help you prepare for your Career. We
hope that you enjoy working through the workbook. Successful completion of one of the
Careers Preparation units in this workbook will earn you an additional certificate to go with
your main qualification. It will also provide useful evidence to a prospective employer.
You are expected to work on either Level 1, 2 or 3 of the workbook – your tutor will advise
you which. You will be responsible for managing your time and completing the tasks. Your
careers education tutor may work through some of the tasks with you, and may ask you to
work on others on your own. When you have completed the tasks and exercises in this
workbook, hand it to your careers education tutor who will check the completed book, and
tell you if you have done enough to gain the certificate. If you have not, you may be asked
to do a bit more.
PLEASE WORK ON THIS WORKBOOK IN YOUR OWN
TIME AND IN DESIGNATED TUTORIALS
HELP IS AVAILABLE FROM THE LIBRARY – PLEASE
CALL IN AND SEE JULIE
ALL THE INFORMATION AND FACILITIES NEEDED CAN
BE FOUND IN THE LIBRARY
GOOD LUCK
Welsh College of Horticulture
Careers Preparation
Unit
Level 1
Student Workbook
Student Name:
Date:
CONTENTS
Section 1 – Level 1
a) Skills Audit – 1.1
b) Looking at Myself – 1.2
c) Progression Routes – 1.3
d) Looking at Jobs – 1.4
e) Job Adverts – 2.1
f) Career Route – 2.2
g) Steps to Take – 3.1
h) Careers Advice – 3.2
i) Action Plans – 3.3
j) Basic C.V. – 3.4
k) Assessment Record
l) Hints & Tips
CONTENTS CONTINUED
m) Student Evaluation Sheet
Level 1 – Careers Preparation
SECTION 1
1.1 SKILLS AUDIT
This section is designed to help you identify and analyse your strengths and
weaknesses in relation to the skills and qualities that are required in particular
areas of employment.
An audit enables you to identify the skills and qualities that you already have.
These may have been developed and demonstrated through your school or
college courses, your hobbies and interests, work experience or part time
employment, or any positions of responsibility you have held at school or
college.
TASK 1
Write a list of all the skills you have.
(The purpose of this is to identify the skills you already have)
TASK 2
Write a list of all the skills you would like to have.
TASK 3
Write a short paragraph describing your course and how you see that
helping you achieve your career goal.
Signed:
Course Tutor: Date:
Student: Date:
1.2 Looking at Myself
When doing this exercise you need to think carefully about:
What you are good at
What you would like to improve
In order to make a good career decision
Qualifications from school are only part of the story, think about yourself
outside college:
Tasks you can do
Hobbies and interests
Part time jobs
The exercise over the page will help you understand all the different skills
people use every day.
1.2 – Looking at Myself
TASK 1
SKILLS – What am I good at?
Look at the lists below and tick, in order, the ones you are most good
at.
Good Quite Good Fair Need to Improve
Working as part of a team
Playing team sports
Organising yourself
Listening to others
Finding information
Following instructions
Dealing with money
Please add any others that
you think are relevant
CHARACTERISTICS
Good Quite Good Fair Need to Improve
Caring – helping others
Patient
Confident
Enthusiastic
Sociable
Responsible
Please add any others that
you think are relevant
Describe any part-time jobs you have had, please include address and
dates.
Part-Time Jobs
Write in the space provided about any hobbies or interests you have.
Hobbies and Interests
Signed:
Course Tutor: Date:
Student: Date:
1.3 – Progression Routes
List any previous work experience and any other courses that you have done
which may help in identifying your progression routes.
Work Experience – Please explain what you did and when
Voluntary Work
Other Certificates/Courses
Signed:
Course Tutor: Date:
Student: Date:
1.4 - Looking at Jobs
Tick the personal qualities that you think are important for these different jobs
and please give your reasons why.
Job Responsibility Patience Confidence Determination Independence
Air Cabin Crew
Baker
Bricklayer
Bus Conductor
Cashier
Footballer
House Painter
Milk Delivery
Nurse
Office Junior
Packer
Plumber
Police Officer
Social Worker
Waiter/ress
Own Choice
Reasons – Pick 3 of the above jobs
Signed:
Course Tutor: Date:
Student: Date:
2.1 Job Adverts
Look at the job advertisements that you have been given and pick four. Look
at the four jobs you have selected and identify which characteristic best fits the
job. Use the grid below to record your results.
Caring for Creative Outdoors Locally Practical Scientific or
and working for some or based technical
with people all of the
time
Job 1
Job 2
Job 3
Job 4
2.2
List, in order, the jobs that would be the most suitable for you as a result of the
exercise above.
Signed:
Course Tutor: Date:
Student: Date:
3.1 Steps to Take
From the selection given below, list the steps, in order of priority that you need
to take, before you can apply for a job.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Signed:
Course Tutor: Date:
Student: Date:
3.2 – Careers Advice
TASK 1
Compile a list of all the people and places where you consider Careers Advice
would be available.
e.g. Careers Advisory Officer - WCoH
TASK 2
From the list of your steps in 3.1
a) write a list of the things that you have already done and
b) write a list of the things that you need to do.
HAVE DONE HAVE NOT DONE YET
Signed:
Course Tutor: Date:
Student: Date:
3.3 – Action Plans
TASK 1 Complete the following Action Plan
Personal Career/Action Plan
Name:
Long-term career aim:
Academic/career plans for the end of course/academic year:
Action to be taken By When Date
Achieved
Signed:
Course Tutor: Date:
Student: Date:
Tips for a successful application form
* Before you do anything else, photocopy the original form. This allows
you to make any mistakes on a draft version where it doesn’t matter.
Keep the original clean and tidy.
* Read the whole form carefully before starting. Make sure you follow any
instructions, e.g. use black ink, block capitals, etc.
* Have a copy of your CV, the advert and any job description handy to
refer to.
* Answer every question. If the question does not apply to you, write ‘Not
Applicable’ or put a line through it. Otherwise the employer may think
you’ve missed the question out accidentally, or are hiding something.
* If you need more space, use a separate sheet of paper and write
‘continued on additional sheet’ on the form. Attach it securely to the
application form, but just in case it becomes separated, write your name
and the job title at the top.
* Check spelling, dates, etc.
* Only complete the original when you are certain every detail is correct.
Then fill it in, in pencil and check it again before going over the final
version in ink. (Remember to rub out the pencil marks before sending it.)
* Always use black ink unless instructed otherwise.
* Write neatly and clearly, block capitals are usually best.
* Include a covering letter that draws attention to one or two key relevant
selling points.
* Only include your CV if it gives additional information you think is
important to the application (unless you have specifically been asked not
to send a CV).
* Keep a copy of the whole application for yourself. It will help you
prepare for an interview and save time when filling in other application
forms.
* Put the forma and letter unfolded in an A4 envelope. A piece of card will
stop it getting creased in the post
* Don’t forget to sign and post it!
TASK 2
Fill in the application form provided.
Tips for a successful letter of application
An application letter is simply a letter asking that you be considered for a
certain position. You need to state the reasons why your application should be
given the reader’s careful attention.
A covering letter will need to include:
a) an introductory paragraph which says what the letter is about, and what
other documents you are enclosing e.g. CV, application form
b) one or more paragraphs which:
- reinforce the information given in the CV or application form
- draw attention to any particular skills, qualification or experience
which make you suited to the post being applied for
- add any further details about yourself which are relevant to the job
c) a closing paragraph, rounding off the letter.
NB - All letters beginning with Dear Sir …… end with yours faithfully
All letters beginning with Mr/Mrs …… end with yours sincerely
No other terms are used
TASK 3
On the following page write a letter of application in response to an advert of
your choice.
Would you like to take part in a mock interview? Yes/No
If so, please see Julie in the Library
3.4 –Basic C.V.
TASK 1
From the information below list in order of importance the information that
should be on C.V.
TASK 2
From the information above compile a basic CV.
RECORD OF ASSESSMENT
CAREER PREPARATION OCN Unit – Level 1
Student Name:
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA DATE ASSESSED
ACHIEVED BY
1.1 Identify general areas of interest t enable the learner to T
make realistic choices on future courses/careers.
1.2 Identify own personal qualities, skills and experiences P
1.3 Identify areas of work or learning which might be P/T
appropriate progression routes.
1.4 Give reasons why the learner’s own personal qualities, S/T
skills and experiences might be more suited to some
areas of work or learning than to others
2.1 Collect specific information on identified areas of work T
or learning
2.2 Identify possible course/career on basis of findings S/T
3.1 Identify and outline the steps that need to be taken to S/CEAdv
enable learner to progress to chosen course/career
3.2 Identify sources of advice and help to support learner S/CEAdv
making the progression to chosen course/career
3.3 Produce a simple action plan with target dates to S/CEAdv
achieve progression
3.4 Produce a basic CV S/T/CEAdv
Codes: T = Tutor CEAdv = Careers Advisor
P = Peers S = Self
Signed:
Course Tutor: Date:
Student: Date:
Signed: Date:
Internal Verifier:
Comments ………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
HINTS AND TIPS
Information on the following can be found in the Library:-
Writing a Curriculum Vitae
Writing a Letter of Application
Filling in an Application Form
Prospectus
Career Descriptions
www.bbc.co.uk/justthejob - Information can be found on this website regarding
full Career Preparation
Weekly newspapers
A Guide to applying for jobs
Student Programme Evaluation Form
LOOKING AT YOURSELF IN RELATION TO A FUTURE CAREER
Course Title: Course Tutor:
This evaluation form is designed to enable you to reflect and comment on your Careers
Preparation programme at the Welsh College of Horticulture. With this information we can
review and improve the programme for students in the future. Your views are very
important.
On a scale of 1 – 5, (1 being high, 5 being low), indicate your preference.
1 2 3 4 5
Strongly Agree Not Disagree Strongly
agree sure disagree
1. At the start of the Careers
Preparation programme the units
were fully explained to me.
Comments:
2. I am able to use the computer to
enable me to search for jobs.
Comments:
3. I am able to use the computer to
find out information about jobs.
Comments:
4. I know where to go and how the
Careers Library works to find job
information.
Comments:
5. I feel confident about using the
careers books and computers
Comments:
6. I have used audio and visual
resources to enable me to prepare
for a career/employment.
Comments:
7. I found some very detailed
information about the job(s) I am
considering.
Comments:
8. I understand what needs to go into
a CV.
Comments:
9. I have produced a CV.
Comments:
10. I understand what employers
require from an application
form/letter.
Comments:
11. I have developed skills for coping
with interviews.
Comments:
12. I have gained information which will
help me in seeking employment.
Comments:
13. What has been the most useful part
of your careers programme?
Comments:
14. What has been the least useful?
Comments:
15. What would you have liked included
in the programme which was not
covered?
Comments:
THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THIS FORM