Portfolio: Mini Project Workshops and Appendices for Employability Skills

This portfolio includes mini project workshops attended and their contribution towards the development of employability skills. It also includes the value and usefulness of the appendices provided. Learn about personal development plan, SWOT analysis, time management, communication skills, and more.

Module: (FY027) Preparing for Success: Self Development and Responsibility
CW1 - Portfolio
Student’s Name:
LSST ID Number:
BNU ID Number:
Lecturer’s Name:
Submission Date:
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Mini project workshops attended and how they contributed towards the development of my employability
skills.
3 Importance and value of the Appendices (12 Documents) that I have compiled and provided as part of my
portfolio
4 Conclusion

5 References
6 12 Appendices for the Portfolio
Appendix 1 Personal Development Plan
Appendix 2 Personal SWOT Analysis
Appendix 3 Reading Log
Appendix 4 Time Management Skills: Weekly Schedule
Appendix 5 Time Management Skills: Daily To Do List
Appendix 6 Communication Skills: Identification of the most effective skills
Appendix 7 Presentation Skills: Comparison between good and poor practices
Appendix 8 Academic Writing Skills:
Appendix 9 Employability Skills:
Appendix 10 Notes on Reflection
Appendix 11 Up-to-Date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Appendix 12 Action Plan on a specific academic or professional goal you aim to achieve
Optional - Cover Letter
Optional - Photos or samples of work produced in class (during lessons or workshops)
1. Introduction
In this growing business world education is playing significant role in life of students as its main objective is to help the students in
accomplishing their desire goals. On the bases of the education and the personal experience students become capable to apply for the different
job roles of their choice and would able to achieve success in life (Alonso‐Almeida, Fernández de Navarrete and Rodriguez‐Pomeda, 2015). The
balance between soft and hard skills helps employees in performing their roles effectively and efficiently. This report is based on the
employability skills of students and the role of teachers in supporting students to develop their skills and abilities by organising workshops or
mini projects.
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2. Summary: Specify the mini project workshops that you attended and explain how and why they
contributed towards the development of your employability skills (500 words).
Reflection on min project workshop
The primary motive of the students must be on developing and enhancing their skills and abilities as it play significant role in life of
students as they would able to get better and effective employability. The focus of the students is to achieve success by developing skills as they
are important in the organisation as it helps in achievement of their goals and objectives (Amstutz, 2015). From the viewpoint of the organisation
they want those employees who are able to work in difficult and uncertain situations with the motive to accomplish the desire results of the
organisation. According to the management of the company they select and hire skilled and experienced employees as they provide effective
measures to deal with the problems. I have attended this workshop as it is helpful for my career growth and development. With the help of this
workshop I would be able to understand and enhance my knowledge on various topics such as PDP plan, SWOT analysis, etc. I come to know
my strengths, weakness, threats and opportunities so that I would be able to work on it effectively and focus on my career development.
Moreover I come to known that I am weak at some areas where I need to work hard that is on communication, time management, thinking and
observing skills. These weak areas are having negative impact on my performance as I would not able to accomplish the desire results of mine.
In order to improve my skills and weak points I have developed PDP plan. I focused on enhancing my knowledge on effective and ineffective
communication, presentation, time management, etc. In less time period I would be able to work on my skills and able to achieve my career
goals. With the help of effective communication I would be able to communicate effective with other employees and make them understand the
work which need to be performed. I have developed my CV which is helpful in accomplishing my professional goals and objectives. I need to
improve my decision making skills as it play important role in carrying business operations in effective and efficient manner and also help in
improving my employability skills. Time management skills are important that is with the help of effective time management I would able to
complete the various task and activities on time. Hence all these skills are essential as it help in achieving mu goals and objectives in less time
duration. This workshop would help me in learning new things and improving my skills and will have positive impact on my career growth
(Clarke, 2018). By focusing on improving my employability skill I would able to gain the trust of customers and help the business organisation
in improving its brand image. Hence, employability skills are important as it help in my growth and development where I would be able to
achieve my long term goals and objectives in less time duration and I would able to focus on my personal and professional development.
3. Summary: In a paragraph or two explain the value or usefulness of the Appendices (12 Documents) that
you have compiled and provided as part of your portfolio.
Appendices for the portfolio
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On the bases of the Appendices I would be able to improve and enhance my skills and abilities. There is a set of 12 documents which are
focusing on various factors which are important in personal growth and development.
Personal development plan: It has helped in improving my weaknesses(Code, 2020).
Personal SWOT analysis: With this I come to know my strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats.
Reading log: This is important for better understanding and knowledge.
Time management skills- Steps to work on time management skills and to improve them.
Communication skills- Steps are taken to improve communication skills.
Presentation skills- To improve presentation skills that contribute in development of employability skills.
Academic skills- Focus is on working on innovative and creativity skills to enhance them.
Employability skills- Focus is on professional development.
Notes on reflection- To provide information on project that is tasks and activities which need to be performed.
Up to date Curriculum vitae- It contributes in professional career(Din, Anuar and Usman, 2016).
Action plan- To improve weak points and to enhance strength.
4. Conclusion:
From the above study it has been concluded that there are set of skills which are important for individual to achieve success in their
career. The skills which help in personal and professional development of students and they would be able to accomplish their long term and
short term goals and objectives. With the help of PDP plan one would be able to work on its weakness and can take corrective steps in their life.
The effective skills are important as they help in performing the task or activity in most appropriate manner and work is completed on time. An
action plan has been developed which will help in overcoming the weakness and one would able to achieve their goals and objectives in
minimum time period.
5. References:
Alonso‐Almeida, M.D.M., Fernández de Navarrete, F.C. and Rodriguez‐Pomeda, J., 2015. Corporate social responsibility perception in business
students as future managers: a multifactorial analysis. Business Ethics: A European Review. 24(1). pp.1-17.
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Amstutz, L.S., 2015. The little book of restorative discipline for schools: Teaching responsibility; creating caring climates. Simon and Schuster.
Clarke, M., 2018. Rethinking graduate employability: The role of capital, individual attributes and context. Studies in higher education. 43(11).
pp.1923-1937.
Code, L., 2020. Epistemic responsibility. SUNY Press.
Din, B.H., Anuar, A.R. and Usman, M., 2016. The effectiveness of the entrepreneurship education program in upgrading entrepreneurial skills
among public university students. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 224. pp.117-123.
Du Preez, R. and Van Zyl, L.T., 2015. Toward the development of a corporate social responsibility leadership questionnaire: An adaptation of
the LBI-2.
Đurišić, M. and Bunijevac, M., 2017. Parental involvement as a important factor for successful education. Center for Educational Policy Studies
Journal. 7(3). pp.137-153.
Epstein, J.L., 2018. School, family, and community partnerships: Preparing educators and improving schools. Routledge.
Fullan, M., Rincón-Gallardo, S. and Hargreaves, A., 2015. Professional capital as accountability. Education policy analysis archives. 23. p.15.
Jackson, D. and Wilton, N., 2016. Developing career management competencies among undergraduates and the role of work-integrated learning.
Teaching in Higher Education. 21(3). pp.266-286.
Jackson, D., 2016. Re-conceptualising graduate employability: The importance of pre-professional identity. Higher Education Research &
Development. 35(5). pp.925-939.
Kerins, A.T., 2016. An adventure in service-learning: Developing knowledge, values and responsibility. CRC Press.
Osagie, E.R and et.al., 2016. Individual competencies for corporate social responsibility: A literature and practice perspective. Journal of
Business Ethics. 135(2). pp.233-252.
Savicki, V. ed., 2020. Developing intercultural competence and transformation: Theory, research, and application in international education.
Stylus Publishing, LLC.
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Visser, W. and Tolhurst, N. eds., 2017. The world guide to CSR: A country-by-country analysis of corporate sustainability and responsibility.
Routledge.
Yin, J. and Jamali, D., 2016. Strategic corporate social responsibility of multinational companies subsidiaries in emerging markets: Evidence
from China. Long Range Planning. 49(5). pp.541-558.
ŽivkoviĿ, S., 2016. A model of critical thinking as an important attribute for success in the 21st century.Procedia-social and behavioral
sciences. 232. pp.102-108.
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6. 12 Appendices for the Portfolio
APPENDIX 1: My Personal Development Plan
My Full Name:
Title of Course I’m Enrolled For:
Name of Institution:
Level at which I am Currently Studying:
Start Date:
End Date:
My Reasons/Motivation for Doing this
Course:
Objectives for my personal
development
Actions required to achieve
my objectives
Support and/or
resources I need
Timeframe
Communication skills I will work on listening skills,
eye contact and have strong
body language to build an
effective communication(Du
Preez and Van Zyl, 2015).
I will try to interact
more with other
employee's to enhance
my communication
skills through e-mail
and other media
platforms.
1 months
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Task and time management I will enhance my time skills
through pre-planning and
organizing all my
activities(Đurišić and Bunijevac,
2017).
My task and time
management skills will
be improved through
delegating activities,
making schedules,
creating deadlines and
by maintaining
planners.
2 months
Team work I can improve these skills
through understanding the
opinions and ideas of team
mates, by building trust
among each other and by
helping also.
My team working skills
will be enhanced
through effective
communication with the
employee's, discuss all
the roles and
responsibilities with the
team mates(Epstein,
2018).
2 months
Interpersonal skills I will enhance my
interpersonal skills through
verbal and non-verbal
communication and by
encouraging positive scenario
in the company(Fullan,
Rincón-Gallardo and
Hargreaves, 2015).
I will focus on my
interpersonal skills
through appreciating
good qualities of co-
workers, by focusing on
active listening skills
and by being assertive.
2 months
8

Reading skills I will work on reading skills
through e-books, novels and
by setting reading goals.
I will enhance my
reading skills by giving
presentations,
interacting in business
meetings and by
conferencing(Profession
al capital as
accountability. Jackson
and Wilton , 2016).
1 month
Professional development I will focus on my professional
development by being a
continuous learner and by
appreciating change.
I will encourage myself
for learning from other
employee's and by
working on my
professional
growth(Jackson, 2016).
4 months
APPENDIX 2: My Personal SWOT Analysis
STRENGTHS (strong points) WEAKNESSES
(weak points)
1 I am dedicated towards
my work and
responsibilities.
1 My lack of communication skills puts an negative impact on sharing
opinions and beliefs.
2 Innovation helps to
make creative thinking.
2 My lack in critical thinking creates a negative impact on career growth
and success.
3 Making a right decision
on right time or
situation.
3 I lack in observing which results in in-organized working patterns.
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OPPORTUNITIES (potential
gains)
THREATS (potential
losses)
1 To have career
development and
achieve long term goals,
working with a team will
enhance my efficiency.
1 Due to lack of communication skills, I am unable to share the necessary
information in right manner at specific time.
2 Decision making will
give me an opportunity
to enhance decision
making skills.
2 As I lack critical thinking, I creates a barrier in identifying the problems
that can arise in any situation.
3 Achievement of career
and corporate goals in a
limited span of time can
be achieved through
presentation skills.
3 Due to lack of observation skills, I am unable to observe the needs of
my fellow colleagues and other people in the organization.
APPENDIX 3: Reading Log
READING LOG
DATE TITLE AUTHOR TIME SPENT
01/05/21 SWOT Analysis Sarsby, A., 2016.
SWOT analysis. Lulu.
com.
2 days
01/07/21 Personal Development Plan Tattum, D. and Tattum,
E., 2017. Social
education and
personal development.
Routledge.
1 Day
01/08/21 Time Management Skills Cirillo, F., 2018. The 1 Day
10

Pomodoro technique:
The life-changing time-
management system.
Random House.
01/09/21 Increased knowledge about the effective and ineffective
organization
Hislop, D., Bosua, R.
and Helms, R., 2018.
Knowledge
management in
organizations: A
critical introduction.
Oxford university
press.
2 Days
01/11/21 Increased understanding about presentation skills Van Emden, J. and
Becker, L., 2016.
Presentation skills for
students. Macmillan
International Higher
Education.
3 Days
APPENDIX 4: Time Management Skills: Weekly Schedule
SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT
6:00 AM Wake up Wake up Wake up Wake up Wake up Wake up Wake up
7:00 AM Do revision Do revision Do revision Do revision Do revision Do revision Do revision
8:00 AM Get ready Get ready Get ready Get ready Get ready Get ready Get ready
9:00 AM Have breakfast Have breakfast Have breakfast Have breakfast Have breakfast Have breakfast Have breakfast
10:00
AM
Attend first
class of
Attend first class of
communications
Attend first class of
communications
Attend first class
of
Attend first class
of
Attend first class
of
Attend first class
of
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communication
s
communications communications communications communications
11:00
AM
Lecture
completed
Lecture completed Lecture completed Lecture completed Lecture
completed
Lecture
completed
Lecture
completed
12:00 PM Practised
communication
skills
Practised
communication
skills
Practised
communication
skills
Practised
communication
skills
Practised
communication
skills
Practised
communication
skills
Practised
communication
skills
1:00 PM Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break
2:00 PM Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break
3:00 PM Attend second
class of
communication
Attend second class
of communication
Attend second class
of communication
Attend second
class of
communication
Attend second
class of
communication
Attend second
class of
communication
Attend second
class of
communication
4:00 PM Attend first
class of time
management
Attend first class of
time management
Attend first class of
time management
Attend first class
of time
management
Attend first class
of time
management
Attend first class
of time
management
Attend first class
of time
management
5:00 PM Attend first
class of
personal
development
Attend first class of
personal
development
Attend first class of
personal
development
Attend first class
of personal
development
Attend first class
of personal
development
Attend first class
of personal
development
Attend first class
of personal
development
6:00 PM Class over Class over Class over Class over Class over Class over Class over
7:00 PM Go back home Go back home Go back home Go back home Go back home Go back home Go back home
8:00 PM Have dinner Have dinner Have dinner Have dinner Have dinner Have dinner Have dinner
9:00 PM Make planner
for time
management
Make planner for
time management
Make planner for
time management
Make planner for
time management
Make planner for
time
management
Make planner for
time
management
Make planner
for time
management
10:00 PM Take rest Take rest Take rest Take rest Take rest Take rest Take rest
11:00 PM I go to sleep I go to sleep I go to sleep I go to sleep I go to sleep I go to sleep I go to sleep
APPENDIX 5: Time Management Skills: Daily To Do List
Item Priority (High (urgent)
/ Low (can wait)
Action to be taken Done (tick)
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1 I analysed that I
lack time
management
skills
I will make sure to complete all the assigned
tasks and activities within the limited span of
time.
√
2 I improved my
time
management
skills
I used Gantt chart that help me to complete
tasks within time. √
3 I learned I collected feedback from my supervisors,
analysed them and worked on them which
enhanced my time management skills.
√
APPENDIX 6: Communication Skills: Effective vs Ineffective Communication
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION I
1 An effective communication helps in sharing ideas and opinions. 1
2 An effective communication helps to enhance time management
skills and also in decision making(Kerins, 2016).
2
3 Effective communication also enhances creativity and innovation
at workplace which leads to better performance and enhanced
productivity.
3
BENEFITS OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
1 Enhanced productivity: Effective communication within the
organization will lead to proper exchange of information which will
lead to individual and organizational productivity.
2 Better performance: An effective communication helps to dictate
all the necessary data which is required to perform the assigned
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task which will help to enhance and improve the
performance(Osagie and et.al., 2016).
3 Resolving conflicts: Effective communication helps to solve
conflicts within the organization through communicating effectively.
APPENDIX 7: Presentation Skills: Comparison between good and poor practices
No. GOOD PRESENTATION No. POOR PRESENTATION
1 A good presentation is accurate
and reliable.
1 Poor presentation lacks proper
introduction.
2 A good presentation helps to
attract more audience within a
specific span of time(Savicki,
2020).
2 Poor presentation lacks in attracting
audience as it mostly lacks
information.
3 A good presentation holds and
deliver all the necessary
information.
3 Poor presentation lacks to deliver all
the necessary information(Visser and
Tolhurst, 2017).
APPENDIX 8: Academic Writing Skills:
Select from the following list, any three skills that you have learnt from the lessons and workshops that you have attended; and
briefly state the BENEFITS you have gained from learning the said academic skills:
 Referencing
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 Summarizing
 Paraphrasing
 Editing of text
 Data analysis
 Creating a Table of Contents
 Interpreting feedback given by your lecturer; and acting on it
 Using punctuation marks correctly
 Understanding verbs that are commonly used in Assignments;
 Reflective writing
 Any other academic skill.
1 Academic Skill 1 Strong points
(advantages)
Weak points
(disadvantages)
1. Referencing
2. Summarizing
3. Paraphrasing
It will help in providing
evidence to the written
content.
Need to work on identifying
appropriate references
according to the content.
Help in providing overview
of the content.
Only brief of the content is
provided.
Help in creating unique
content and less chances
of copied content(Yin and
Jamali, 2016).
Time consuming process.
Benefit(s) of this skill to
me->>>>>:
I would able to improve the quality of content and able to
provide more accurate and authentic sources.
2 Academic Skill 2 Strong points
(advantages)
Weak points
(disadvantages)
1. Editing of text Help in providing Sometime necessary
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2. Data analysis
3. Creating a table of
content
important and useful
content.
information is not provided.
Help in enhancing
knowledge about various
analysing techniques
which help in improving
quality of content.
For identifying the data
work person need to be
focused(ŽivkoviĿ, 2016).
Provide information on the
topics covered in the
report.
Leads to increase in word
count.
Benefit(s) of this skill to
me >>>>>:
This has helped me in completing the work on time
effectively and efficiently.
3 Academic Skill 3 Strong points
(advantages)
Weak points
(disadvantages)
1. Interpreting feedback
given by your lecturer; and
acting on it.
2. Using punctuations
correctly
3. Reflective writing
Help in meeting the
expectation of tutor's.
Time consuming process.
Correct sentences are
framed.
No guidance provided on
making effective sentences.
Blueprint of the entire
journey of the project.
Personal information need
to be provided.
Benefit(s) of this skill to
me>>>>>:
Help in improving and enhancing written communication
skills.
APPENDIX 9: Employability Skills:
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No. Specific skill you’ve acquired
during lessons or workshops
How does it raise your chances of getting your
desired job?
1 Communication skills play
important role as with this I
would able to understand
others and also make others
understand my viewpoint.
Helps me getting desire job role in my
professional career.
2 I need to focus on my time
management skills in order to
complete task on time.
I would able to complete my assigned tasks on
time effectively and efficiently.
APPENDIX 10: Notes on Reflection
Define the concept of “Reflection”; and provide details of your OBSERVATIONS,
EXPERIENCES and LESSONS learnt, and how these changed your
PERSPECTIVE on specific matters; and made you a better person.
I observed that I need to work on different areas in order to achieve my goals and
objectives which are communication skills, time management skills and thinking
skills.
By attending workshop I able to gain positive experience which has helped me in
understanding the areas where I need to put more focus in order to become
successful in life.
By developing plan for personal development and identifying my strengths and
weaknesses I would able to take corrective actions to improve them.
Hence, observation, experience and lesson has helps in identifying the areas
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where I need to focus and improve my skills.
APPENDIX 11: Up-to-Date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
NAME: ABC
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ADDRESS: 388, LONDON, UK
CONTACT DETAILS: 65323289320
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY: I work as a painter and take residential and
commercial painting projects. I look forward to work with a hard-working painting
team which emphasis safety, customer satisfaction and professionalism.
EDUCATION (Name and year of Institution attended):
1998 Scoala Generala Nr. 9- Resita
2002 Scoala Profesionala
Grup Scolar Industrial De Constructii Montaj - Resita
CORE QUALIFICATIONS:
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WORK EXPERIENCE:
08/2019 to Current Painter
National Rail – London, England
09/2015 to 08/2019 Painter
G&S Gilbert And Sons LTD – Cuffley, Potters Bar
02/2012 to 08/2015 Painter
Manestream LTD – London, England
REFERENCES:
APPENDIX 12: An Action Plan for achieving a specific academic or professional
goal of your choice.
Pick any goal from the following list and create an Action Plan for achieving it:
 Completing your studies (diploma or degree) within a record time.
 Completing your Research Report (e.g. IBL) within a specified period of time.
 Finding and completing on time a Work-Based Learning Placement within the specified period of time.
 Seeking and finding employment (a job) at the end of your studies.
 Any other appropriate goal within the academic or employment environment.
Action For Achieving a Specific Goal
Date: 01/28/21
My Name:
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Course enrolled for:
Level of study:
Higher education
GOAL to be accomplished:
To get job in reputed company which
help in enhancing my skills and I
would able to get success in life.
Actions I need to take in order to accomplish
my Goal: Taking feedback from my leader.
Resources / support / backup that I need: Guidance and support of known
people that is friends and family.
Timeframe: 1 year
Success criteria or indicators:
(How will you know when you’ve achieved
the goal)
Whiling focusing on my career goals I
come to know my strong points which
are contributing in accomplishing my
short term and long term goals.
Review / evaluation:
(Identify some benefits of achieving your
goal; as well as some obstacles that hinder
your further progress)
MBA
21