Apprenticeships Management Essential Skills Wales Level 2
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BTEC Apprenticeship Level 3 Management Essential Skills Wales (Level 2) In this document you will find a sample assignment brief for Application of Number, Communication and ICT. This assignment brief will help you to meet the requirements of your Essential Skills Wales assessment. The assignment is based on scenarios you may encounter in your day-to-day job to make it more relevant to you. 1
SETTING SMART TARGETS TO PROMOTE SUCCESS Scenario There is a strong relationship between a successful company and an effective goal setting process. By setting SMART targets, employers engage their workforce to focus on successful achievement. Your manager has asked you investigate the nature and number of complaints at your company and to make improvements. You are also required to research and pilot the use of SMART targets and to communicate this information to your team. Your manager has asked you to write a report on the general benefits of using SMART targets and to suggest other work areas which could be improved. Task Essential Skills Wales 1. Collect information on customer complaints at your workplace. N2.1.1 N2.1.2 N2.1.3 ICT2.1.1 ICT2.2.1 (non-ict source) 2. Use ICT to electronically exchange this information with a peer to obtain and compare data with that of a similar organisation. ICT2.2.2 ICT2.2.3 3. Carry out calculations and present meaningful information about categories and numbers of customer complaints. N2.2.1 N2.2.2 a, b, c, ICT2.2.3 4. Present the results of your calculations using appropriate formats. N2.3.1 N2.3.2 ICT2.3.1 ICT2.3.2 5. Use the results of your calculations as a basis to inform a discussion with managers at your workplace. C2.1.3a N2.1.1 N2.1.2 N2.3.1 N2.3.2 6. Research and read about the benefits of setting SMART targets. C2.2.1 (image e.g. graph or chart) ICT2.1.1 ICT2.1.2 ICT2.2.1 ICT2.2.2 7. Prepare a plan and a draft document which justifies and incorporates SMART targets to reduce the number of customer complaints. ICT2.3.1 C2.3.1 8. Produce a final document to inform staff of relevant targets. N2.3.1 N2.3.2 C2.3.1 ICT2.3.2 9. Deliver your proposal to the team. Answer questions which arise during the discussion which follows. 10. Implement your proposal. Collect information post-target setting and carry out calculations (Example Source 1) to compare data pre- and post-introduction of targets. 11. Plan and draft a report on the benefits of SMART targets. Include supporting evidence and suggest other areas that could be improved by this method. 12. Write a final report for your manager outlining the benefits of introducing SMART targets. Suggest how this approach can be used to improve levels of quality in the company generally. C2.1.3b C2.1.3a N2.1.3 N2.2.2d ICT2.3.1 C2.3 ICT2.1.1 ICT2.1.2 ICT2.3.2 IC2.3.1 2
Tips Remember to show all your workings out when you carry out calculations. Remember to keep the preparation notes that you made for your talk and discussion. Remember to write in sentences using conjunctions, capital letters, full stops and paragraphs. Remember to use commas, apostrophes and inverted commas. Remember to annotate draft copies to confirm your understanding of skills and techniques associated with ICT. Remember to print copies of your draft work. Remember to include evidence of saving your work. Remember to review the effectiveness of your work in terms of quality of outcomes, process and appropriateness to audience. Remember to include plans, logs of work, records of searches and information sources and confirmation of secure, safe and healthy working practices. Remember to sign your work to prove that you did it. 3
What you need to do 1. Collect data Collect data about complaints at your workplace. Collect data over an appropriate period of time about the different types of complaints and the number of occurrences. You must decide and use a representative sample of complaints. You must use an appropriate and meaningful data set, e.g. approximately 20 items. You must present your results appropriately, e.g. graphs or charts. You could include a hypothesis of what you expect to achieve. must include a written plan of what you are going to do. must include confirmation with an appropriate person of how you plan to tackle the problem. must show appropriate use of a graph or chart. must include a written plan to show that you can identify and describe a practical problem or task. must include the use of non ICT sources. must include a brief or description of the activity. 2. Exchange information Using appropriate ICT software, enter and save the data you have found in Task 1. Communicate and exchange ICT-based information with a colleague from a similar organisation. must confirm purposeful and effective use of e-mail, e.g. annotated screen prints, confirmation from assessor. must include receipt of appropriate data from a colleague. must include the use of ICT to exchange information with a colleague. 3. Carry out calculations Carry out calculations to compare the data from both organisations. You must show that you have compared data and calculated the mean, median, mode and range for the two sets of figures. You must work out the ratio for the two mean values you have obtained. You must use ICT software and manual calculations. must include all your calculations. must show that you can carry out manual calculations, use a calculator and check that your results are correct and make sense. must show that you have carried out two stage calculations. must show that you have used at least two of the following: a table, a chart, a graph or a diagram. 4
must show that you have interpreted information from the sources and stated the level of accuracy to which you are working. must show that you have chosen appropriate methods to get the results you need. must show that you have confirmed with an appropriate person how to tackle the problem. must include the use of ICT to derive new information. 4. Present your results Present the results of your calculations in a suitable format so that you can use it later to discuss the introduction of SMART targets with your team. You can use ICT to present your calculations. You must include two different ways of presenting your findings using charts, graphs, tables or diagrams. must show that you have used two methods of presentation, e.g. a pie chart and a table. must show that you have interpreted information from the two sets of data and stated the level of accuracy to which you are working. must show that you have chosen appropriate methods to get the results you need. must show that you have explained how you have met the purpose of your task. must show that you have presented your findings in an appropriate format for your audience. must show that you have developed and presented text and numbers. must show that you have used ICT systems, described relevant activities, used ICT independently and followed safe, healthy and secure working practices at all times. must include the brief or a description of the activity. 5. Take part in a discussion Discuss with the managers at your workplace the possibility of piloting the introduction of SMART targets in the aim of reducing complaints. You must prepare notes for your part of the discussion. You must speak to communicate: o information o feelings o opinions o questions o instructions. must confirm from an appropriate observer that you have met the requisite criteria for speaking and listening, including clarity of expression, clear illustration of main points and use of a variety of ways to support these main points. must confirm that you have taken part in a discussion with two or more people. 5
6. Carry out research and read documents Research information about setting SMART targets and the potential impact they have on the quality of your service. You must use the Internet to find this information. At least one document must contain an image. At least one document must contain reasoning. You must read two different types of documents, e.g. persuasive, factual or informative. You must try to find two opposing views. must show that you have read two documents which are both at least 500 words long. must include annotated copies of the documents you have read about SMART targets, to show that you have identified the main points, ideas and lines of reasoning from the documents. must confirm that you have effectively used ICT sources. must confirm that you have used multi-search criteria. must confirm that you have provided the scope and nature of Internet searches. must confirm why the sources selected were appropriate to the task. 7. Prepare a plan and a draft document Write a plan and a draft of the document You must write an action plan and draft proposal to justify and incorporate SMART targets to reduce the number of customer complaints. must include a plan. must include the use of ICT software to prepare your plan and draft. must include annotated drafts to show how you will improve your document. must include annotations or other form of confirmation of understanding of skills and techniques utilised. must include the use of ICT to derive new information. 8. Write a final document to present to your team during a meeting Write a proposal to support your talk/presentation on the introduction of SMART targets at a meeting with your team. You must ensure that you: o write in sentences using conjunctions, capital letters, full stops and paragraphs o use commas, apostrophes and inverted commas o include charts, graphs or diagrams o proof read your work to check it is correct o use a suitable format. You can use ICT to write your proposal must include a final written document that is fit for purpose and audience that is at least 500 words long. 6
must show how you met the purpose of the task and how this is appropriate to your audience. must include the presentation of combined text and images. 9. Prepare and deliver a talk/presentation to present your plan, include instruction and response to queries Using the document which outlines the proposed SMART targets, prepare and deliver a talk or presentation to brief your team (your team must be at least three people). Follow your talk with a discussion/question and answer session. You must prepare notes for your talk/presentation. You must speak to communicate: o information o feelings o opinions o questions o instructions. must include a copy of your notes. must show that your talk or presentation lasted for about 4 minutes. must show that you have given instructions on how to work with SMART targets. 10. Implement your proposals in your workplace. Decide on an appropriate period of time to pilot your ideas. Collect data post introduction of targets and carry out calculations to compare the two sets of data At the end of a chosen pilot period, repeat the previous data collection exercise on complaints. Using a formula, undertake calculations to compare the two data sets and establish changes which may have occurred. Source 1 provides an example of the type of formula which may be used. must include all your calculations. must show that you can carry out manual calculations and use a calculator and check that your results are correct and make sense. must show that you have carried out two stage calculations. must show that you have used at least two of the following: a table, a chart, a graph or a diagram. must show that you have interpreted information from the sources and stated the level of accuracy to which you are working. must show that you have chosen appropriate methods to get the results you need. must show that you have confirmed with an appropriate person how to tackle the problem. must show that you have presented your findings using charts or graphs, and tables or diagrams appropriate to your audience. 7
must describe the results of your calculations, what the results tell you and how the results meet your purpose. must show that you can present and explain your methods and findings and how the outcomes meet the requirements of relevant audience. 11: Prepare a plan and a draft document to report your findings to your manager Write a plan and a draft of the document for your manager. You can write this as a report. You may want to use ICT to plan and draft your work. must include annotated drafts to show how you will improve your document. must include a plan. 12. Write a final report on the benefits of using SMART targets Write a report for your manager about the benefits of implementing SMART Targets. You must ensure that you: write in sentences using conjunctions, capital letters, full stops and paragraphs use commas, apostrophes and inverted commas include charts, graphs or diagrams proof read your work to check it is correct use ICT and a suitable format for writing a report for your manager ensure that you convey the benefits of introducing SMART goals and targets in the company include information about how this approach helps to improve quality. must include annotated drafts to show how you improved your document. must include a final written document that is accurate and fit for purpose. must show how you met the purpose of the task and how this is appropriate to your audience. must include a written document that is at least 500 words long. must include confirmation that you have effectively used ICT systems, described relevant activities, used ICT independently and followed safe and healthy working practices at all times. This evidence may be presented in a variety of forms, including handwritten, electronically produced, oral or visual. must include the brief or a description of the activity. Source 1 Example formula n = data set n pre target setting n post target setting 100 n pre target setting 8
ASSESSOR NOTES This assignment is based on the topic of setting SMART objectives in the workplace related to the mandatory unit one Key Principles of Management and Leadership. The assignment brief could be used to practice the skills required for Essential Skills Wales, or the evidence produced by the apprentice could be used to contribute towards the Essential Skills Wales assessment. Supporting the apprentice Consult with the apprentice s employer if necessary. Conduct a skills scan before asking the apprentice to complete this assignment what support will they need to develop the necessary skills and knowledge? Consider how long it will take the apprentice to complete the assignment would the apprentice benefit from this assignment being split over more than one assessment visit? You may decide to use only part of the assignment, in which case you will need to give the apprentice clear guidance on which parts of the activity they should complete. Make sure you explain the assignment to the apprentice so that they know what is expected of them and how this will contribute to their apprenticeship. Ensure that the apprentice has all the information they require before they start, e.g. the appropriate source document (Source 1). Ensure that ICT facilities are available to the apprentice. Make sure that the apprentice has access to appropriate reading documents, e.g. text books, trade journals or the internet. Ensure that there is evidence of assessment of the discussion and talk or presentation, include feedback to learners and confirmation of achievement that specifically relates to the speaking and listening criteria. Make sure you have a copy of the Welsh Assembly Government Essential Skills Wales Qualifications Standards and Guidance and the Essential Skills Wales Support Document to refer to in addition to this assignment brief. Remember to include a statement of authentication with each apprentice s work, which should be signed and dated by both the apprentice and the assessor. 9