About the LCVP

The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) is an intervention designed toenhance the vocational dimension of the Leaving Certificate (established).

The primary goal of the LCVP is to prepare young people for adult life by ensuring that they are educated in the broadest sense, with an ability to cope and thrive in an environment of rapid change. Participants in the programme are encouraged to develop skills and competencies fundamental to both academic and vocational success.

Throughout the programme students are encouraged to:

• Be innovative and enterprising • Take responsibility for their own

learning • Adapt to changing circumstances • Evaluate data and devise solutions to

problems • Communicate their thoughts and ideas

effectively

• Work with others as part of a team • Investigate and plan career options • Use information and communications

technologies • Investigate local businesses and

community enterprises • Learn from their experiences

These skills and qualities are equally relevant to the needs of those preparing for further education, seeking employment or planning to start their own business.

The strong vocational focus of the LCVP is achieved by arranging Leaving Certificate subjects into Vocational Subject Groupings (VSGs) and through the provision of additional courses of study in work preparation and enterprise known as the Link Modules.

Programme Requirements

Programme Requirements for students taking Leaving Certificate Examination from 2004 onwards

• At least five Leaving Certificate subjects, one of which must be Irish • Two of the above subjects must be selected from one of the designated Vocational Subject

Groupings • Two Link Modules: Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education • A recognised course in a Modern European Language other than Irish or English

Vocational Subject Groupings (VSGs)

Two subjects are selected from one of the Vocational Subject Groupings. Thesesubjects provide students with a focus for developing vocational skills and

exploring their career options.

The Specialist Groupings consist of subjects which complement one anothernaturally. The Services Groupings comprise subjects which complement one

another in a commercial context.

Link Module I – Preparation for the World of Work

Students will research and investigate local employment opportunities, develop job seeking skills such as letter writing, CV presentation, interview techniques; gain valuable practical experience of the world of work; interview and work shadow a person in a career area that interests them.

Link Module II – Enterprise Education

Students will be involved in organising visits to local business and community enterprises; meet and interview enterprising people on site and in the classroom; plan and undertake interesting activities that will build self–confidence, creativity, initiative and develop teamwork, communication and computer skills.

Typical LCVP Students

Typically, LCVP students take seven Leaving Certificate Subjects plus the Link Modules

Information and Communications Technology

Students will have an opportunity to develop and apply their IT skills. Students should also have an opportunity to use audio-visual equipment and computer presentation packages for recording and presentation purposes. During the course of the programme students will develop skills to:

• Enter, edit, store, retrieve and print information • Word process CVs, letters, reports and create illustrated documents • Send and receive e–mail • Access and use relevant information from the Internet

Teaching and Learning

The use of active teaching and learning methodologies is encouraged across the LCVP curriculum. Experiences such as work placement, career investigation, mini–enterprise, business and community visits are an integral part of the programme. The Link Modules encourage students to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired through their Vocational Subjects and in other areas of their Leaving Certificate.

Typical LCVP activities include

• Conducting Investigations – businesses, community enterprises, agencies • Arranging Visits out of school to sites of interest in the context of conducting

investigations • Inviting Visitors to the classroom -adults other than teachers as resource visitors • Organising Enterprise Activities – setting up projects as vehicles of learning • Actively preparing for work – career investigation, job search, practice at interviews • Experiencing the world of work, work experience, work simulation, work shadowing • Using Information and Communications Technology – to access, store, communicate

and present information

Assessment of the Link Modules

LCVP students follow the same subject syllabi and are assessed in the same way as their peers in the Leaving Certificate. For the Link Modules they are assessed by Written Examination (40%) and by Portfolio of Coursework (60%).

The structure of the Written Examination is as follows:

Section A Audio Visual PresentationSection B Case Study (received in advance by students)Section C General Questions (4 out of 6)

The Portfolio of Coursework accounts for 60% of total marks. Students assemble the portfolioover the two years of the programme and it is assessed at the end of the final year of the Leaving Certificate.

LINK MODULES - PORTFOLIO OF COURSEWORK

CORE ITEMS OPTIONAL ITEMS (any two)

Curriculum Vitae Diary of Work ExperienceCareer Investigation Enterprise ReportEnterprise/Action Plan Recorded Interview/PresentationSummary Report Report on My Own Place

Certification

LCVP students receive the same certificate as other Leaving Certificate students but their Certificate includes an additional statement of the results of the Link Modules.

Grades for the Link Modules are as follows:

Grade Per cent

DistinctionMeritPass

80% – 100%65% – 79%50% – 64%

The Link Modules are generally recognised for points purposes by the Institutes of Technology and the Universities. The points are allocated as follows:

Grade Universities and Institutes of Technology award

Distinction 70 points Merit 50 points Pass 30 points

LINK MODULES FOR THE LCVP St. Ciaran's Community School

Preparation for the World of Work

UNIT 1 - Introduction to working life

Specific Learning Outcomes

1.1 identify the main sources of employment in the local area1.2 identify the main social services and job creation agencies in the local

area1.3 identify the main agencies that provide transport in the local area1.4 identify the main financial institutions servicing the needs of the local area1.5 identify the main agencies involved in industrial relations in the local area1.6 identify the principal economic activities in the local area1.7 evaluate the potential for tourism in the local area1.8 identify and understand the main differences between school and work1.9 describe the intrinsic value of various forms of work including self employment

and voluntary work1.10 understand current regulations/legislation relating to the employment of young

workers1.11 understand current Health and Safety regulations in workplaces1.12 role-play a situation that could give rise to a dispute in the workplace1.13 understand issues related to diversity in the workplace1.14 list the different forms of assistance for unemployed people1.15 arrange a visit to a training scheme in the locality and/or invite an appropriate

speaker from such an organisation to visit the group in the school1.16 link the activities in this unit to learning in relevant Leaving Certificate subjects

UNIT 2 - Job seeking skills

Specific Learning Outcomes

2.1 recognise the different ways in which job vacancies are advertised2.2 apply for a job by letter, telephone and e-mail2.3 complete an application form2.4 compile and create a curriculum vitae in word processed format2.5 explain how to prepare for a job interview2.6 engage in a simulated job interview

UNIT 3 - Career Investigation

Specific Learning Outcomes

3.1 identify personal aptitudes and interests3.2 investigate a range of careers appropriate to personal aptitude and interests3.3 identify and analyse the aptitude and skills required to pursue a specific career

3.4 describe relevant qualifications and training required for entry to the selected career

3.5 identify available opportunities to pursue a selected career locally, nationally, and where possible, at international level

3.6 plan and set up an opportunity to interview and/or work shadow a person in a selected career

3.7 integrate information from a variety of sources to prepare a final report on a career investigation3.8 reflect on and evaluate the experience of undertaking a career investigation3.9 link the activities in this unit to learning in relevant Leaving Certificate subjects

UNIT 4 - Work Placement

Specific Learning Outcomes

4.1 specify personal goals in relation to a work placement4.2 plan and organise a work placement4.3 attend punctually for a specific placement4.4 dress appropriately for a specific placement4.5 follow a set of procedures in accordance with specific instructions4.6 communicate effectively with other workers in a particular placement4.7 follow a specific set of instructions relating to Health & Safety4.8 review personal experiences in relation to a work placement4.9 analyse reports by adults of personal performance in a workplace4.10 reflect on and evaluate a specific work placement in the light of career aspirations4.11 describe how what has been learned can be applied to work at home, in school

and in the community4.12 present a diary/written/verbal report on a specific work placement4.13 link the activities in this unit to learning in relevant Leaving Certificate subjects

Career Investigation

Core Item (300 – 600 words) Title: Career Investigation of ____

Description of Career: Describe the career concisely and accurately in 3 sentences outlining the type of work a person in the chosen career would be doing. Outline 3 responsibilities/duties/tasks that have to be performed. All 3 statements must be different.

Skills and Qualities: relevant to the chosen career - 3 skills (ability to do job) and 3 qualities (typeof person)

What are the most essential skills needed for the job? (Computer skills, communication skills, creative skills, organisational skills, etc)

What are the most essential personal qualities/attributes that a person should have for this career? (motivation, people person, team player, attention to detail, honest, empathetic, leadership, able to delegate, creative, diligent, hardworking, energetic, fitness, etc)

Qualifications & Training: 2 pathways. Ensure they are different.

Pathway 1 (ensure one pathway in detail) and Pathway 2

• Entry Points for the past three years • Course Title ….BSc in ? • Basic Entry Requirements: Grade D in honours math etc

• Admission Process: Interview, Aptitude test, Portfolio etc

• College name/Location …..no abbreviations give the name and address of the institution: University, private third level college etc

• Course Duration: 2 years, full-time/part-time

• Details of course: Subjects - summary • End Qualification….Certification Authority/Qualification Obtained: FÁS, PLC

(FETAC), NUI, etc Certificate, Degree etc

Interaction:

In developing the skills of research, students should refer to interaction with an adult other thanteachers in a relevant out of class learning experience e.g. work shadowing, visit to an enterprise,interview with a person in the career area, college open day, careers exhibition or other eventorganised as part of the school guidance programme. Students need to be specific here. Give date(include year) of interview, name (Mr, Mrs etc) and position of interviewee and outcomes ofinterview.

Some helpful questions:

What was your role? What did you discover about the career? What did you like about the job? What did you dislike?

Marks40/240 16.67%

How did the experience influence you decision about the career being investigated? What I learned by the Research/activity about career and oneself. Perhaps discuss pay, prospects - locally, nationally and where possible at an international level. Ensure to mention the following:

Leaving Certificate subjects• Outline two subjects you are studying at leaving cert that are most relevant to this career

being investigated. • Say how they are relevant to this career. • Identify what skills/knowledge have learned in your subjects and how that can be applied in

your chosen career.

Personal aptitudes/Personal Interests• What do you have an aptitude for• What are you good at? • Did you do an aptitude test and what did it indicate? • Does it correspond with what is required for this career?

• What work do you enjoy? • Was there any aspect of work experience/summer work/work shadowing/work at home that

you liked? • Is there an individual in a particular career that you admire/see as a role model/would like to

achieve the same success as? • How do these interests tie in with the career being investigated?

Evaluation of Career Investigation:

Insight gained:

Having completed this career investigation, I believe that I will/will not pursue a career in…Insights I gained: ….This investigation has taught me ……

Without carrying out this career investigation I would not have learned that…

This investigation has helped me to evaluate my own skills and aptitudes because I discovered that I….I learned how essential work experience/work shadowing is to a career investigation because while on work experience/work shadowing I discovered that………Although I have decided that I will not pursue a career in….I know how to investigate any career comprehensively

Skills developed:

This Career Investigation has helped to expand my skills in …….research, analysis, reporting, Information technology, communication etc. elaborate

Sources of Information: Websites/books

www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie

www.careersa-z.co.uk www.careerdirections.ie

Recorded Interview/ PresentationSample Interview – NCCA Guidelines

Sample questions from the NCCA guidelines:

Introduction

'Good afternoon. In the next few minutes I'm going to ask you some questions about yourself, aboutwhat you are studying at school and what you plan to do in the future. I'm also going to ask you totell me about the LCVP, the activities you and your class organised as part of the programme andwhat you feel you learned from them.'

Questions

1. Tell me a little about yourself.2. What subjects are you taking for your Leaving Certificate?3. What do you hope to do when you leave school?4. That's an interesting career, why did you choose it?5. You mentioned that you were following the LCVP. Why did you decide to take this

programme?6. You and your class organised a number of activities as part of the Link Modules. 7. Tell me about one of them.8. What part of this activity challenged you most?9. What advice would you give to someone in your school thinking of taking LCVP?

Conclusion

'Thank you for………………

Presenting the Recorded Interview/ Presentation for Assessment

1. The DVD and Audio Sequence sheet must be completed and returned with the disk. 2. Record school roll number and ensure the sequence sheet with Candidates name and exam

number are in the same sequence as the recording on the disk. If a student is now notparticipating in LCVP indicate on sequence sheet.

3. State/display exam number at the beginning of interview.4. Video tapes must be burned on to DVD.5. Camcorder tapes are not accepted.6. Use new disks and ensure to record as many candidates as possible on each disk and submit two

copies for assessment.7. Each disk should be numbered and labelled with school roll number and school name, along

with relevant sequence sheet.8. Ensure to return two disks in protective sleeves/cases and that they are properly secured.9. Before submitting the tape/disk check that each interview/presentation has been clearly recorded

and that documentation is complete and accurate.10. Each school is requested to retain a backup disk and ensure it is readily obtainable during the

month of June.

Marks50/240 20.83%

CHECK LIST FOR CAREER INVESTIGATION

Did you proof read your Career Investigation?

Have you checked your word count – between 300 and 600 words?

Did you check for accuracy of presentation and layout?(spelling, punctuation, grammar, font, headings, tabulation and indentation)

Have you included a title, naming the career you are investigating?

Have you described three duties involved in the career you have investigated using sentences in each case?

Did you name the skills required for this career – giving three?

Did you name the important qualities needed – giving three?

Have you described the training needed to become qualified in this career area?

Have you stated the following:subjects you will study and the length of the training course? qualification you will achieve at the end of the training period?

Did you carry out research to check your own aptitude for this career?

Did you engage in any out-of-school activity? (such as interviewing a person in this career area or work shadowing or work experience that shows you are aware of the aptitude required)

Did you mention how your Leaving Certificate subjects link to this career?

Did you outline two pathways to achieving this career? (stating the name of the colleges offering the training, the courses you will follow, the most recent CAO points required, if applicable)

If entry to the course is not through CAO did you state the title of the course, the college and the entry requirements?

Have you evaluated the career?

Did you state your conclusions having carried out all of the above research?

Did you state what factors influence your conclusion?

Have you evaluated the experience of carrying out the career investigation? (the personal skills you developed or improved while carrying out your career investigation)

Proof read your career investigation again before including it in your Portfolio. Make any corrections necessary.Remember, you submit your best work for assessment.

Career Investigation Project LCVP:

General Mistakes:

• Grammar and spelling is an issue. Some students misspell the name of their career. Some even use the wrong title.

• Total words, many students simply did not write enough.

• Be more specific on the ‘things’ you want to find out. “I would like to find out about the location of the colleges I might attend, the specific costs of attending the course, the course duration, etc”. Five specifics would be good.

• Description of duties involved needs to be sentences not bulleted. Also cite where you got the information.

• Most students did not list the two different pathways in. Two different courses are not two different pathways.

• Employment opportunities: Talk about local and national newspapers. Online sites such as www.monster.ie, www.irishjobs.ie, www.nixers.com, www.loadzajobs.ie. Say where you found your information and talk about locations and salaries etc. Maybe mention your specific plans or preferences.

• How to apply section. Needs to talk about application procedures.

• Qualifications, Training, Subject Requirements all need to specific. Mention specifically where you sourced your information. Be careful about points, titles of qualifications and the location of the H.E.I’s as well as their proper names.

• The cost of education needs to cover accommodation, travel, books, administration fees, access to grants, and miscellaneous expenses.

• Under the how do I fit this career section, you must mention an interest inventory that you completed, as well as all the skills and qualities that you believe you have.

• What I set out to achieve should be a brief recap of you opening paragraph, including a comment.

• My most valuable learning experience, is not what information you learned about your chosen career but what you learned while completing the Career Investigation Project. So, what you learned about yourself, or about what you learned about completing a well thoughtout, clearly and logically presented Leaving Certificate project.

Marking Schemes

Recorded Interview/Presentation

Presentation (neat in the context of the interview/presentation)------- Variety of tone, gesture, diction, eye contact.---------------------------- Ability to communicate message clearly, engage audience, elaborate on points/questions, logical sequence of thought.-----------------------

Pass (18 – 23) – basic communication skills Merit (24 – 27) – ability to express ideas and opinions clearly and knowledge of topic Distinction (28 – 36) – knowledge and ability to communicate ideas and own opinionsclearly and in logical sequence.

Information (content)--------------------------------------------------------

0 – 4 0 – 4

0 – 36

0 -- 6

Total--------------------------------------------------------------- 50

Career Investigation Title/word Processing/use of headings (or Audio Tape communication in clear and confident manner)------------------ Description of duties involved in the career/area------------------ Identification of skills and qualities needed------------------------ Identification of qualifications & training needed----------------- What was learned by the research/activity about career and oneself.------------------------------------------------------------------ Description of two different pathways to the career-------------- Evaluation: of the career---------------------------------------------- of undertaking the career investigation---------------

0 – 5 0 – 3

0 – 5

0 – 5

0 – 8

0 – 4

0 – 5

0 – 5 Sub-total---------------------------------------------------------- 40

ST. CIARAN'S COMMUNITY SCHOOL CAREER INVESTIGATION

A career investigation is a project that shows how you researched a career/s basedon your knowledge of yourself, your abilitiesand your aptitudes and the career options available to you.

A good career decision involves matching…

Decisions that are made today will impact your readiness for the world of work and your ability to

move from one career to the next over the course of your lifetime.

“There are no quick tricks or magic wands when it comes to making good career decisions. It does take some hard work and a readiness to think and explore. But… it feels really good when you begin to get results! Remember, it's about your future, your life, your talents, and your dreams.

You're in charge-make it happen!”

Dr. James Malone, Director of Career Counselling

So, where do you get the information?

Network: your family, friends, classmates and people they know...Print: public library, FÁS leaflets, specialist books, newspapers and

college literature...Internet: online resources like www.qualifax.ie or

www.caereersportal.ie or www.guidanceoffice.i nfo or www.careersa-z.co.uk.

DVDs / Videos: from colleges, agencies, companies...Visits: LCVP activities, college open days, direct contacts, school

visits, career seminars...Visitors: inviting people to talk about careers or how to find career

information...Direct school based work experience, voluntary work experience, Experience: summer job, part-time job...School: Ask your Career Guidance Teacher!

The Career Investigation will access your ability to:

• Generate a document with a clear and consistent layout

• Describe a specific career concisely and accurately

• Identify and categorise skills, qualities, qualifications and training relevant to the selected career

• Describe at least two pathways to the selected career

• Evaluate the selected career in the light of personal aptitude, interests and choice of Leaving Certificate subjects

• Present clear evidence of interaction with adults other than teachers in a relevant out of class learning experience

• Give information on the Research Methods used

• Evaluate the experience of undertaking a career investigation

At the end of the Career Investigation ask yourself have you done each ofthe above?

Suggested Layout for the Career Investigation Task

For Your Title page:

The title of the Career you have chosen: ____________________

Your full name: ____________________

Your Examination number, if known: ____________________

Guidelines for preparing a Career Investigation

• The Career Investigation must be presented as a word-processed document 400-600 words in length.

• A handwritten version must first be given to the Guidance Counsellor to look over.

• Candidates may appropriately include specific career requirements downloaded from relevant websites or taken directly from appropriate publications. However, all downloaded material must be acknowledged.

Type a Table of Contents:(The title of your headings and the page number. Only required for the typed version)

The next heading to be used is Aims:

Under this heading write about the following:

These are the things I want to find out:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next heading to be used is Description of Duties involved in this area:

What is doing the job on a daily basis like?(Description of the type of work involved)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next heading to be used is Description of at least two different pathways:

At least two Entry Paths:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next heading to be used is Employment Opportunities:

Employment Opportunities: Local, national, international

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next heading to be used is How to Apply for the Career:

How to apply for the career (where, format- application form, how advertised?).

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next heading to be used is Identification of Qualifications and training needed:

The qualifications needed: (Junior Certificate / Leaving Certificate / Third Level / Teagasc / Failte Ireland / Post-Graduate / FÁS / PLC...)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Leaving Certificate subjects that are (a) required; (b) useful.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The points (if applicable) required to get into the course for the last three years.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The nature of the training or education needed to enter the career (subjects studied, length of course in the relevant training or education institutions).__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next heading to be used is The Cost of Education and/or Training:

The costs of education or training for the career; any grant / sponsorship / scholarship available.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next heading to be used is The Identification of Skills and Qualities Required:

Aptitude/ personality test(s) needed for entry to the career (get sample questions if possible).

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Contact People in Career:The name and any title(s) a person working in the career area is given.

___________________

___________________

Any advice or information given:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next heading to be used is Evaluation:

How do I ‘fit’ this career? Do I have the skills/qualities required to successfully pursue this career:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What did I set out to achieve?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Key information I discovered about my chosen career:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was my most valuable learning experience?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

No test is asubstitute forself-reflection

and properresearch!

SELF ASSESSMENT

Making the right plans for your future is one of the most difficult tasks you will ever have tocomplete. Starting with a self-assessment (personal inventory) can give you more choices andbroaden your options. A personal inventory can help reveal your abilities, interests andattitudes. It will define your strengths and your weaknesses. Looking for a match betweenyour strengths and the course or profession you are considering is an important first step.

Tests can be helpful, but, "You" are the place to start. What do you do well and enjoy doing?

PERSONALITY & ATTITUDES

Two of the most important factors to determine your happiness and success in a job are your personality and attitudes. Assess your feelings and actions in different situations as they may be different, e.g., in a large group vs. one-on-one, in a fast-paced vs. slow-paced environment. Remember you are unique. Evaluate who you really are now, not the person you think you would like to be. Be honest when you judge your thoughts and feelings, your attitudes and behaviours.

Useful Online Resources

www.careerkey.org/english/This test is based on the Holland's Career Inventory, as mentioned in class. (It does have an American bias, but many students will find it useful. It costs about €7).

www.advisorteam.com/user/ktsintro.asp 'You're invited to take the Keirsey Temperament Sorter II, the fun, interesting, and revealing test that tells you if you're an Artisan, Guardian, Rational or Idealist. This is the same test used in career development programs at Fortune 500 companies and in counselling centres and career placement centres at major universities. You will get a free temperament description and will then have the opportunity to buy the 10-page Character Report for your type'. (The full version costs!!). Questions are a bit difficult.

www.ucas.comThe Stamford Test has been produced by Cambridge Occupational Analysts. You will be asked a series of questions and your answers will be used to determine subject areas of interest to you. The test will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Your results will be returned to UCAS. We will provide you with links to courses classified under each identified subject area which might be of interest to you

www.qualifax.ie The Career questionnaire is divided into sections on jobs, courses and hobbies. Read each question carefully. Think which option you like the most and mark that circle. If you’re not sure then just guess what is best for you. You have to choose one and you can’t leave any blank. Takes a few minutes but very good, again it is Irish.

www.careerdirections.ie/ Select 'Career Directions Matching' if you wish to see suitable careers based on your interests and qualifications. This again is an Irish site run by FÁS. Probably the best one.

Good Advice from the 'Job Hunters Bible'.

"No test should necessarily be assumed to be accurate. We turn to tests with the hope that someone can definitely tell us who we are and what we should do; and we think a test will do that. No, no, no. You can't say, "Well this must be who I am; the test says so." Test results are sometimes way off the mark. I know countless sad stories about people whose lives were sent down a completely wrong path by test 'results' that they believed when they shouldn't have. You should take all test results with not just a grain of salt, but with a barrel. Tests have one great mission and purpose: To give you ideas you hadn't thought of, and suggestions worth following up. But if you ask them to do more than that, you're asking too much."

What are Your LCVP Skills/ Qualities?Knowing your qualities and skills personal is the foundation of good career choice, planning and job application techniques. It is important to have evidence that you possess a range of skills it is important that you can identify your skills and be able to give examples of them as a result of the Link Modules.

Qualities/ SkillsDefine quality and skills: ……………………………………………………..Quality: are the personal characteristicsYou can develop techniques to overcome the lack of the qualityQualities:

• Determination• Enthusiasm• Energy• Drive• Honest• Leadership• Being flexible • Innovative/ Creative• Motivator• Inner Control• Being clever

Skills in the Link Modules classroom• The first step is to identify skills• Students may not be aware of the skills they possess, both individually and as a

group • Students need to be aware of which skills may need to be developed

Skills/Qualities are important for the following Portfolio Items: Curriculum Vitae, The Career Investigation, Enterprise/ Action Plan, Diary of Work Placement, Diary, Recorded Interview/ Presentation and the Written Paper.

Discuss skills with Student’s; ensure students are aware of the following skills in detail. Ensure when documenting an individual objective for a Portfolio item (Plans, Reports etc) that it includes three skills which will create an excellent statement to elaborate.

Communication Skills:

• Making arrangements with LCVP speakers, organisations and work placements• Briefing all of the above• Managing / Leading people• Making Presentations/ role-play in the Link Modules Classroom and to outside

Organisations/Agencies• Sending ‘thank you’ letters, emails, Phone calls etc• Ensuring other students are interested / involved in activities and Portfolio items• Introducing, listening and summarising Link Modules activities• Share information and work cooperatively Chairing meetings, or participating in

other roles

Team Work Skills:

• Group activities, e.g. Team Enterprise, My Own Place investigation,• Taking responsibility• Seeking help when required from Link Modules Teacher and other adults• I meet my own objectives and help others to meet theirs• Listening to others• Assess the effectiveness of the Team, see how it can be improved• Resolve problem situations, avoid apportioning blame, use negotiation techniques to

support others members to learn from our mistakes• Discussion, group disagreements norming, forming and performing

Organisation Skills:

• Decide who does what• Setting up room for LCVP Visitor, preparing for work placement • Obtaining and collecting permission slips for outside visits• Making time arrangements and finalising administration and room• Organising meetings, visits out and visits in

Research Skills:

• Organising material and designing questionnaires• Gathering information• Reading, summarising and analysing information• Identifying sources• Analysis of information and evaluation

Administrative Skills:

• Writing letters, emails, plans and reports• Word processing• Keeping records• Telephoning, letter writing and emailing

Presentation Skills:

• Structuring material• Using visual stimulus to enhance Presentations• Deciding on ‘what and how to say it’• Argue and debate points• Public speaking

Information Technology Skills:

• Emailing• Sourcing and using websites i.e. www.careersportal.ie • Using camera and video i.e. Recorded Interview • Word processing / Knowledge of computer packages• Editing materials/ Portfolio Items• Accurate key board skills

Skills of Analysis:

• Presenting facts from researching Link Modules• Preparing summaries, tables and diagrams for LCVP Reports• Understanding material and information• Solving problems in your own way• Identifying other points of view

Sometimes Skills can be defined using the following headings:

• Technical/Practical SkillsWriting letters/emails, Modern European languages, Information Technology skills, Researching,Managing finance, Numbers, Idea Generation , Designing Advertisements/Art, Telephone skills,Good with my hands, Knowledge of materials, Making things, Report writing, writing Enterprise/Action Plans.

• Personal Skills/QualitiesHonest, Dependable, Willing to learn, Confident, Determined, Creative, Show initiative, Knowstrengths, Humorous, Friendly, Organised, Admit mistakes, Accept criticism and Express myopinion

• Interpersonal/Group SkillsWork well with others, Communicate well, Lead others/chair meetings, Allow others to lead,Deal with conflict, Listen to others, Teach skills to others, Meet and greet strangers, Seek theopinion of others, Ensure others are heard, Speak in front of a group, Follow the ideas of others,Encourage others, Get on with authority.