This topic covers employability skills as defined by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and employers: communication and literacy, teamwork, problem solving, customer awareness, numeracy and ICT. It includes an attractive presentation to help structure your lesson, instructions and activiy sheets. Students will explore how they can develop and evidence their own employability skills even if they have little or no work experience, and discuss why employers value these skills. This resource includes activities to help students to take stock of their existing skills and plan to develop future skills through all their activities including academic learning, hobbies and social time. They will also learn to understand the difference between skills and tasks and explore the concept of transferable skills. This topic will help students who are new to job applications or CVs to think about how to describe their skills and aptitudes to a potential employer.

“Tampering with technology” is a self-contained classroom topic that encourages debate on using computers and electronic communication at work safely. Many people are unaware of the legal risks they take by misusing their own or their employer’s e mail or computer network for an inappropriate purpose. In this topic students will develop an understanding of some of the main dangers in misusing computers at work including unintentional misuse. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.

“The power of the paper round” is a self-contained classroom topic about how to maximise the value of wider work-related learning experience to provide evidence of employability skills. Students may not think that they have much work experience, but many activities contribute to learning for and about work. This topic will help them to make the link between their wider experience and the skills that are valued by employers. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.

“Change happens” is a self-contained classroom topic which helps students to embrace change and the new opportunities it can bring. Our plans rarely come to fruition as we expect them to. The key to success in learning and career planning is to understand that it is a process. Students will gain confidence from understanding that they do not need to have everything worked out to start planning for the future and keeping their plans flexible can be an advantage. This topic uses fictional case studies and activities focusing on the three C’s: Choice, Chance and Change. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 3 and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes engaging and high quality images to add visual appeal.

“Which cap fits?” is a self-contained classroom topic that explores four personal values – being liked, admired, respected and trusted. Students will consider what these values mean to them and which they would like to inspire in others. They will also reflect on whether there could be any negative aspects to these values, for example does respect always mean you are liked? This topic will encourage reflection about how values can affect our behaviour and choices. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.

“Reach for the stars” is a classroom topic about enterprise skills. This topic will help students to understand that enterprise skills cover everything from becoming a top entrepreneur to showing initiative and enterprise in everyday life. Students will learn in a light hearted way about the idea of being enterprising as a skill they might like to develop and reflect on how this could help them in a future career. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 3 and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes engaging and high quality images to add visual appeal.

“Legal eagles” is a self-contained classroom topic that helps students to be aware of the most important legal regulations that apply to young people at work including permitted hours and types of employment. It will start to embed these ideas in younger students before they go on actual work experience, and will help to promote learning about rights at work. Students will also consider what happens to children who are exploited as cheap labour and why laws are needed to prevent this happening. This topic includes a small scale research task for which internet access is needed (other activities to not require internet access). This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 3 and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes engaging and high quality images to add visual appeal.

“Mirror Mirror!” is a self-contained classroom topic that encourages students to think about learning as a lifelong process. It encourages them to reflect on their learning to date and key transition points that they have already faced. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 3 and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Students will consider how we all learn in different ways in different situations, drawing on a range of learning skills. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes engaging and high quality images to add visual appeal.

“Know your data rights” is a self-contained classroom topic that introduces students to the safe handling of personal data. Many people may need to hold some personal data about us, for example, a school or college, doctor, hospital, employer etc. We may also have access to other people’s personal data in the future through work or a social activity so it is important to know some fundamental aspects of how to handle it correctly and legally. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.

“Manage your money” is a classroom topic that asks students to consider where their money comes from now and where it goes. They will then look in more depth at financial planning for one crucial option in their lives – going on to university. They will carry out a basic cost exercise associated with being a full time student and reflect on how they would prepare for this. This topic will help students to understand the necessity for making a financial plan to achieve their goals. This topic includes one small scale research activity for which internet access is required (other activities do not require internet access). This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.

“Question time” is a self-contained classroom topic that introduces students to some of the most commonly used interview questions and why they are used. Preparing and practising answers to common interview questions will help students to prepare for any interview situation. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.

“Stand out from the crowd” is a self-contained classroom topic that helps students to understand and prepare for a group interview situation. As well as carrying out one to one interviews, some employers like to carry out a group interview, or set problems for a group to solve together. This is so that they can assess teamwork and potential leadership qualities. This topic will help students to identify good and bad group behaviours and visualise how they might be assessed as part of a group. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.

“You’ve got mail” is a classroom topic about the importance of using email properly at work to avoid problems and pitfalls in your communication with others. It also covers email culture at work and how this differs from communications sent to friends, often referred to as “email etiquette”. Businesses often formalise these rules of good practice in an email usage policy so students should be aware of these basic principles. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.

“What you know or who you know” is a self-contained classroom topic that encourages students to consider who is in their personal network and how these people could help them in their career search and planning. This topic will encourage students to broaden their search for careers advice and guidance by using informal as well as formal sources of information and to evaluate the usefulness of the information. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.

“Fast forward to the past” is a self-contained classroom topic that encourages students to think about how work has changed over time and therefore how it might change in the future. Historically may jobs required very different skills than they do today and it is likely that skills for work will continue to adapt and change. This topic will help students to consider how skills for work have evolved in a light hearted way and will generate discussion about why we need to adapt and grow our skills throughout life for a successful career. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.

“What’s stopping me?” is a self-contained classroom topic that explores how students’ self-limiting beliefs can be barriers to progression and success. Students will identify the doubts and negative thoughts that may be preventing them from reaching their potential and how these may affect their future career progression. It helps students to challenge and overcome their self-doubts and self-imposed limitations in order to progress. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.

“No limits” is a self-contained classroom topic that asks students to consider whether they may already have preconceived ideas about some job roles based on gender or other personal characteristics that do not relate to someone's ability. These ideas can come from home, friends, the media, advertising or wider society. It is important that students do not self-limit their choices or make assumptions about others based on superficial factors. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 3 and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes engaging and high quality images to add visual appeal.

“Minding my own business” is a self-contained classroom topic that introduces students to key sectors in the economy: those that produce raw materials (primary), manufacture goods (secondary) or those that offer services like finance or marketing (tertiary). This will help students to understand one key aspect of how the labour market in the UK is segmented and how this impacts on the type of jobs available. The topic includes a small scale research project into how some everyday commodities are produced for which internet access is required). This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 3 and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes engaging and high quality images to add visual appeal.

“Help me!” is a self-contained classroom topic which helps students to identify how they can gain useful information about careers and job roles from their own personal network in addition to more formal sources. They will also consider how people at work are grouped into networks or teams, and that all job roles are to some extent interrelated. This will help them in the early stages of career planning and learning about the world of work. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 3 and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes engaging and high quality images to add visual appeal.

“What’s my story?” is a classroom topic about building self-esteem by recognising your progress so far. This topic will help students to understand that they have a unique story to tell and that they have already overcome some barriers which they should feel positive about. This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 3 and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes engaging and high quality images to add visual appeal.