Employability and Professional Development | Assignment

Employability Skills and
Professional Development

Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
TASK A...........................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..............................................................................................................................1
A. Implementation of educating staff on different skills.............................................................1
B. How these skills helps in performance objective....................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8
TASK B...........................................................................................................................................9
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................9
MAIN BODY..............................................................................................................................9
A. How British Gas help improving performance objectives on basis of job description..........9
B. Discuss the skill audit and system which employees has to develop....................................10
C. How skill development linked to positive appraisal.............................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

TASK A
INTRODUCTION
Employability skills refers to the skills which needed by an individual or recruiter in
order to employ suitable candidates. It is important to have skills along with the good technical
knowledge in order to perform employable related activities smoothly. In past years, people used
to stick with same job for their whole life which does not enable them to learn new skills. As in
today's work environment skills are very much required in order to sustain in competitive
market. There are certain tools and techniques which needs to be recognised by the employers in
order to make employees educated and enhance their skill set. The British Gas case is being
discussed in this report. As British gas is an energy and home services provider in United
Kingdom. In this case, it has been shown that, British Gas is not performing well and their
employees are also not educated in regard of interpersonal skills, time management and problem
solving skills. As these skills are very important for employees to perform better and enhance
position of company in market. Apart from this, the particular task talks about how these skills
are helpful in achievement of personal duties and performance objectives.
MAIN BODY
A. Implementation of educating staff on different skills
Skills are the capacity and capabilities of an individual which enable an individual in
order to perform their work or task in very effective and efficient way. The skills can be
considered as an extra benefit for employees as it allows person to do more than what they are
doing in order to get extra benefit at workplace. There are certain skills which needs to posses by
employee of British Gas Agency, as these skills can be helpful for company to get back in better
position. These are as follows:
Interpersonal Skills:
Interpersonal skills refer to qualities and attitude which an individual posse while making
interaction with other people. This is one of most important soft skill which needs to posses by
every individual in order make better interaction with people. As strong the interpersonal skills
there is more chance of get success in working environment. The strong interpersonal skill has
many benefits like it allows to cooperate with teammates easily and solve difficult issues easily
in organisation. As it does not necessary that every individual should have high level of
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interpersonal skills (Oliver, 2012). Now days companies like British Gas make investment in
their employees in order to enhance interpersonal skill of their employees so that they can
contribute in growth of company. There are different kinds of interpersonal skills which are
discussed as below:
Communication Skills:
The communication is a basic but most important interpersonal skill. As it is very
important to have effective communication skill in order to make interaction with people and to
understand what people are trying to say. As British Gas Agency hire the female engineers to
respond the female customers of company. So that communication can be made easily between
company and client. As British Gas make investment in their employees frequently so their skills
can be enhanced. Effective communication can lead the coordination between various
department of the organisation as a result efficiency and productivity can be enhanced (Ito, 2014)
.
Teamwork:
Teamwork is an another important skill which needs to be posses by an individual. As in
today's modern workplace, it requires employees to have faith on each other and to support each
other when required. The various operations are being performed in British Gas Agency and an
operational manager needs to make different decision in organisation which required high level
of interpersonal skills. For example, the qualifies engineer or service manager of British Gas
Agency eventually becomes an operation manager, then to make strategic decisions, it requires
team management skill so biased decisions can be prevented in organisation. Effective team
work can help the organisation to achieve its organisational goals and objectives.
Leadership skills:
Leadership skill is an interpersonal skill which sets an individual different from their
peers. Now days employers are looking for the individuals who can lead from front and can
motivate its subordinates to accomplish task. An effective leadership needs self confidence and
vision. Leaders have abilities to inspire and influence their peers and subordinates so they can
contribute more in growth of company. The leadership post comes with lots of role and
responsibilities. As in British Gas Agency hundreds of apprentice engineers are hired, so it is
leader's responsibility, to make them train and develop interpersonal skill in individuals. Through
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effective leadership employees can work effectively which help them to maximize their
performance and efficiency.
Negotiation:
Negotiation is not only related with buying and selling of goods but it is an any
interaction in which two or more people who are engage in a discussion in an attempt to come to
a shared agreement. Negotiation skills are very important for the managers and leaders of British
Gas Agency as they are supposed to communicate with various clients of company. So to crack a
deal on profitable note they are supposed to make negotiation in deal which can be profitable for
company.
These are interpersonal skills which can be helpful for employees and employers of
British Gas Agency in order to perform their task and meets its objectives on time. (Mather and
et.al, 2011)
.
Time Management:
Time management is simply referring to the management of time effectively and
efficiently. This helps to allocate the right time to right activity. With help of time management,
individuals can assign specific time slot to specific activity according to its importance. This is
very important to make the best use of time as time is very limited. In British Gas Agency,
various tasks are performed and it is very important for managers and other employees of
organisation to allocate the time to different activities of organisation accordingly. As managing
time is an art in the organisation if it is managed effectively than time can be very helpful in
contributing the success of organisation. And if it is not managed properly than it can be reason
for failure of organisation. Time management skill is very helpful for an individual of British
Gas Agency, as it can help an individual to cop up with progressing business of organisation.
The time management includes:
Effective Planning:
Time management is very helpful in making plan for complete day and prepare task plan.
This needed to be done in a single day against the time and time should be allocated to each and
every activity. As in British Gas Agency, leader should keep high priority work on top and
followed by those which do not need much importance. It will be helpful in competing task
according to time stipulation and once task is completed, a tick mark should be there, so one
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does not perform task again. Effective planning can help the organisation to achieve its
organisational goals and objectives.
Setting goals and objectives:
The goals and objectives are primary motivation of every organisation without this the
organisation would be lost. As with help of time management one can set their goals and
objectives with which they want to complete in stipulated time. Goals and objectives should be
realistic and achievable. British Gas Agency has its goal that is enhance their British Gas Agency
position in the energy employment sector. And to develop interpersonal skills in employees of
British Gas Agency so they can perform tasks effectively and efficiently. Goals and objectives
can be clear so that employees can maximize their efficiency and productivity as a result
company can accomplish its targets.
Spending the right time on right activity:
It is very important to give right time to right activity. As an individual should allocate
the time to activity according to nature of activity. There are different operations and exercise is
being performed in organisation so allocation of right time to right activities is very important in
organisation. It will allow individual to perform important task on top priority and than other task
accordingly. As British Gas Agency also delegate the right time to right activity, they provide the
more time for training to new employees in order to develop interpersonal skills in employees so
that they can perform the activity on time (Horwitz, 2013)
. Apart from this the effective time management includes be organised at workplace and
keep important works on time. One should misuse the time by gossiping or loitering around in
organisation, employees should focus on their work and finish their work first.
B. How these skills help in performance objective
Problem Solving Skills: There are various types of skills and abilities which are possess by
the individual and problem solving skill is one of them. It is an interpersonal skill which is
possess by the individuals. By using this skill, a person can find out the solution of the critical
issues. It shows the ability of a person that how it tackles the particular situation and how it
resolves the specific problem. To solve the problem, it is necessary to identify and define the
issue so that fruitful results can come out. Manager of company should have posses this skill so
that it can take better and effective decisions in the favour of corporation. There are mainly two
methods through which an issue can be resolve.
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Define the problem: It means identify the problem and find out the main route from where it is
arising. For example, if employees of British Gas Agency do not able to perform as per the need
of organisation and it is also giving training to the workers but performance is not improving. In
that case company need to improve training procedure so that staffs will able to work as per the
requirement of company.
Implement the solution: After the identification of problem the next step is to implement the
solution. As British Gas Agency can implement the solution to rectify the issue and it can
improve its training program by appointing new mentor who can provide effective training to the
employees so that their efficiency can be maximize. As a result, overall productivity of
organisation will enhance. There are various benefits of problem solving skill which is beneficial
for the workers as well as organisation. These benefits are such as: it encourages the persons to
think better and logically so that best solutions of the problem can came out and it helps to
develops the thinking of the individuals, risk handling capability of employees can be
maximizing through it, helps to increase the potential of team so that they performance get better
and impressive, reduce the chances of losses in the organisation. Problem solving skills help to
generates greater productive output so that company can earn more revenues and it encourage
creative ideas which will help the employees to take better and effective decisions (Grasmane
and Grasmane, 2011). Environment is dynamic so there are more chances that a problem can be
arise any time and organisation should be enough capable to handle the adverse conditions.
Problem can be occurring in day to day business operations and if employees and management
have possessed this skill than efficiency can be increase and workers can be able to perform as
per the needs of company. It provides helps to the organisation to maximize its overall
performance as a result it can earn more profit and achieve sustainable success and growth.
Personal Responsibilities and Performance Objectives: There are various skills which
provides help to make a person responsible and these skills are interpersonal skill and time
management. Interpersonal skills include communication, team work, leadership and negotiation
skills. Time management skills involves effective planning, setting goals and objectives and
problem solving skills. These various skills can help a person to improve its performance and
productivity so that it is enable to accomplish the targets of corporation. These all skills can
make a person more responsible towards its work and individuals can realise their roles and
responsibilities in context to achieve the goal and objectives of the corporation. There are various
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departments in the British Gas and all workers from different departments have their distinct
roles and responsibility. If all workers will perform as per their responsibilities than overall
efficiency and productivity of company can be maximize. It is essential for the employees to
follow the responsibilities which are decided by the organisation. Responsibilities make the
person responsible and accountable to the management. It is coming from the designation of a
person and it gives the power to individuals to perform their roles and duties. Through it task can
be perform on time and appropriate manner so that efficiency can be enhanced which leads to
maximize the productivity also. If workers take the responsibilities and work according to that
than task can be perform effectively and which leads to improves the performance of staffs as a
result organisation can accomplish its goals and objectives (Brooker and Daniels, 2014). If
apprentice, follow its responsibilities in British Gas than it help to generate more revenue for the
organisation. Roles and responsibilities of apprentice in the company are as follows: an
apprentice has an operational role and it appear at the lower level of the British Gas hierarchy. It
is responsibility of apprentice to produce gas as per the requirement of organisation and
requirement can be increase or decrease as per the demand of gas in the market. It helps the
company to achieve its targets and goal because employees are performing effectively as per the
roles and responsibility. It is essential for the growth and success of a corporation that their
workers realise its responsibility and complete their work on the basis of it.
CONCLUSION
In the conclusion it can be said that the different skills are there which needs to be
possessed by an individual in order to perform various task of organisation. As interpersonal
skills are very important for employees in order to perform task effectively and efficiently in
organisation. The interpersonal skill has different benefits as it helps to individual to make
communication easily with peer and other clients of organisation. Interpersonal skill is not only
required in only professional life; it is helpful in personal life also. These skills allow an
individual to shape their career in right path and get growth in that particular field. A high level
of interpersonal skill leads to boost confidence of people and with increased confidence one can
easily accomplish goal of organisation. The time management is another skill or quality which is
required by the employees to perform task on time. This enables people to make their task on
priority according to time stipulation of particular task. It is a skill with the help of this one can
set important task on high priority and followed by accordingly. Apart from this, problem
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solving skill is very important for solving the problems of organisation in order to smooth
functioning of organisation.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Daniels, J. and Brooker, J., 2014. Student identity development in higher education:
implications for graduate attributes and work-readiness. Educational Research, 56(1), pp.65-76.
Grasmane, D. and Grasmane, S., 2011. Foreign language skills for employability in the EU
labour market. European Journal of Higher Education. 1(2-3). pp.192-201.
Horwitz, F. M., 2013. An analysis of skills development in a transitional economy: the case
of the South African labour market. The International Journal of Human Resource Management.
24(12), pp.2435-2451.
Ito, H., 2014. Challenges Towards Employability: Higher Education's Engagement to
Industrial Needs in Japan. Higher Education Studies. 4(2). pp.1-8.
Mather, G. and et.al., 2011. Business graduate skills in sustainability. Journal of Global
Responsibility. 2(2). pp.188-205.
Oliver, B., 2012. The'iPortfolio': measuring uptake and effective use of an institutional
electronic portfolio in higher education. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. 28(1).
pp.67-90.
Poon, J., 2014. Do real estate courses sufficiently develop graduates’ employability skills?
Perspectives from multiple stakeholders. Education+ Training. 56(6). pp.562-581.
Smith, C. and Worsfold, K., 2014. WIL curriculum design and student learning: a structural
model of their effects on student satisfaction. Studies in Higher Education. 39(6). pp.1070-1084.
Thomas, I. and Day, T., 2014. Sustainability capabilities, graduate capabilities, and
Australian universities. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 15(2).
pp.208-227.
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TASK B
INTRODUCTION
The importance of interpersonal skill can be seen from the above scenario. As I have
been hired at British Gas to work in its Employment strategy division for the improvement of
reputation as a responsible employer. As to improve the organisation image, first it needs to
improve skills of employees of organisation. These skills are very helpful in achieving
performance objectives, so the importance of skills are being discussed in this present . The skill
audit systems is very helpful in the skill development of employees, is being explained in this
scenario. Apart from this these skills development ratings are directly related with positive
appraisal of employees,is being discussed under this scenario.
MAIN BODY
A. How British Gas help improving performance objectives on basis of job description
British Gas is an energy and home services provider in United kingdom. I have been
appointed in British Gas for in Employment strategy division with responsible for further
improving its reputation as responsible employer. During the job I have learned many new skills
and developed the existing skills. As learning is continuous process and it comes with experience
same case happened with me also, I used to learn during at work. These learning helped me a lot
to manage my work and my team. It is very important to learn new skills at workplace as it
allows an individual to shape their future accordingly. There are various things which I have
learned and improved during my job. As time management is very important for performing task
on time. I have learned managing time effectively during my job as it helped me a lot to delegate
the work according to priorities. It is very important to give priority to the activities according to
their time duration (Poon, 2012). This time management enabled me to complete the tasks
according to their importance. As organisation of work plays an important role in organisation in
order to perform task effectively. I have enhanced my organising skills also. As I used to
organise work for subordinated according to their capacity. This helped me and my subordinates
to improve the organising skills and improve reputation of British Gas in market by achieving
overall goal of organisation.
The British Gas is an organisation which spend sufficient amount of fund on their
employees in order to improve their skills and develop new skills so that they can perform their
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job related and other task effectively and efficiently. The company invest in their employees
because organisation know the employees are valuable assets for company. British Gas focuses
on creating a diverse workforce where employees can fulfil their potential and be rewarded for
their hard work. As valuing diversity or difference provides a business with many benefits like
company can draw on widest pool of talent. As it can be seen that company more focus on
training, for example, Maria who is a trainee in field engineer. Organisation provided her a
challenging working environment which enables her to grip with real life situations. The
company taught her many transferable skills and valuable hands on experience. So that she can
work on diverse place in company. With these kind of tools and techniques company help in
improving performance objectives. There are different roles are being performed in organisation
with range from engineering to marketing, accounting to IT and customer service also. To
perform all these roles company provides training to their employees in order to improve
performance objectives. The company has different organisational structure according to
function and employees working at different levels of responsibility. Apart from this, the
company like British Gas follows tall structures. This kind of structures have different level of
employees and a proper chain of command also. So to cop up with these function organisation
provides training to its employees and which ultimately helps in performance objectives.
B. Discuss the skill audit and system which employees has to develop
Skill audit refers to the examine skills of an individual with regards to its performance. It
is compulsory process for measurement the skills of an individual or group. The main of this
skill audit process is to identify skills or capacity and knowledge of individual or group which an
organisation required for performing their tasks. There are different kind of soft and hard skills
which is required by an individual in organisation and in their professional career in order to be
sustainable in this competitive market. The skills allow employees to be confident at workplace.
As if employees have better hard and soft skills than they will be proactive in performing
different task of organisation (Culkin and Mallick, 2011). And they will also get reward for their
efforts in company. But if individual does not have that much of capability than he or she would
not be able to perform task proactively, their performance will also be not up to the mark. Skill
audit is necessary process and it is performed in British Gas also, in order to identify skills of
employees and take corrective action where needed. On the basis of skill system it has been
observed that employees need to develop several skills which are as follows:
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IT skills:
As now day’s world is surrounded by the full of technology and it is changing day by day
also. Every organisation whether it’s big or small they use technology in order to simplify their
work. For example, the company has payroll software for managing the human resources
function. So this is very important for employees of British Gas in order to perform the technical
related task effectively and efficiently. The technology is changing day by day so one should be
very prompt to adapt new technology so that task can be performed efficiently.
Communication skills:
Communication skill is very important skill in this competitive environment so to
perform the task at British Gas, it is very important to have an effective communication so that
they can perform their task effectively and efficiently. As the employees of British Gas need to
develop this skill so employees can communicate effectively within organisation and with their
clients. This will help to improve reputation of company.
Leadership skills:
Leadership skills are those which should be possessed by an individual to be a leader.
Leaders influence their subordinates to perform their task effectively and efficiently on time. The
employees of British gas should develop leadership skills as because eventually any person can
become leader so they should be ready to take new challenges in organisation. If they have
leadership skills than only employees will be able to perform effectively their roles. The skill
audit indicates that there is requirement for training and development for leadership skills in the
employees of organisation.
C. How skill development linked to positive appraisal
Skill development is not a choice for organisation it is a necessary requirement for organisation.
As it allows organisation to enhance the skills of their employees and take competitive advantage
in market. To be sustainable in the market, it is very important to train and develop employees of
organisation so that they can perform better in every situation. The skills are capacity of an
individual which help them to groom their personality and this can also be seen in their
performance also. As with the help of developed skill employees perform better to accomplish
company’ goal (Sharplin, Bunney and Howitt, 2015). The developed skill have direct link with
performance appraisal of employees. As for example the employees has got 9 rating out of 10 in
communication skills so this will make impact on the performance appraisal of employees in a
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positive way. As employees will perform better with enhanced skill on the basis their work they
will get positive appraisal. As the employees of British Gas has developed information
technology skills also so with improved skill they would be able to perform better in
organisation. And at the time of appraisal it will create a positive impact on the appraisal of an
individual.
CONCLUSION
In the conclusion it can be said that employment skills plays an important role in the
organisation. The employees’ skills are crucial element for every organisation. These skills
enable an organisation to get work done by their employees effectively and efficiently. To
perform roles and responsibilities in organisation one requires the skills. The skill audit is being
done frequently in organisation in order to identify need of development of new skills in
employees. According to skill audit, the need of development of new skill is identified and
company provide proper training and development session to employees.
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REFERENCES
Bunney, D., Sharplin, E. and Howitt, C., 2015. Generic skills for graduate accountants: the
bigger picture, a social and economic imperative in the new knowledge
economy. Higher Education Research & Development. 34(2). pp.256-269.
Culkin, N. and Mallick, S., 2011. Producing work-ready graduates: The role of the
entrepreneurial university. International Journal of Market Research. 53(3). pp.347-
368.
Poon, J., 2012. Real estate graduates’ employability skills: the perspective of human resource
managers of surveying firms. Property management. 30(5). pp.416-434.
Schellenberg, R. and Grothaus, T., 2011. Using culturally competent responsive services to
improve student achievement and behavior. Professional School Counseling. 14(3).
p.2156759X1101400306.
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