CTAE1 - Foundations Level 1 (Overview)

Foundations Overview 

Introduction

Foundations1_Overview Employers constantly communicate that they are looking for employees who possess very important employability skills and work ethics. Every employer expects his employees to possess good communication skills. Employers also expect employees to follow company policies while maintaining productivity. Many employers express that one of the most pressing issues in the workplace is an employee's ability to get along with co-workers. 

Module Lessons Preview

Students will explore leadership skills like respect, cooperation, and following the chain of command. Students should exit every CTAE course with a knowledge of the career opportunities within the field of their choice, information about themselves that will help them in that field, as well as an understanding of the skills gained in the course.  

Lessons in this Module:

Communication in the Workplace

Every employer expects his employees to possess good communication skills. In this lesson, the student will examine the communication skills needed on the job. The student will also be introduced to the principles of good customer service.

Productivity and Organization

Employers expect employees to follow company policies while maintaining productivity. In this lesson, the student will examine the structure of an organization. The student will also practice important time management skills.

Ready for Work

Students should exit every CTAE course with a knowledge of the career opportunities within the field of their choice, information about themselves that will help them in that field, as well as an understanding of the skills gained in the course. In this lesson, the student will recognize career opportunities within the CTAE field of study. The student will prepare for the job search by creating a resume and preparing for interviews.

Teamwork

The focus of this lesson is teamwork. Many employers express that one of the most pressing issues in the workplace is an employee's ability to get along with co-workers. In this microlesson, the student will explore leadership skills like respect, cooperation, and following the chain of command.

Workplace Ethics and Character

Employers constantly remind us they are looking for employees who possess very important employability skills and work ethics. This lesson is an overview of general workplace ethics and character traits desired by employers. This lesson will allow the student to think about how he will conduct himself in a workplace environment.

Watch this video for an introduction to People Skills:

 

Key Terms

  • Aggressive Customer - a customer who readily complains, often loudly and at length  
  • Chain of Command - a system where authority passes down from the top through the levels of an organization  
  • Character - the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual  
  • Chronic Complainer - a customer who is never satisfied and always feels there is something wrong  
  • Clientele - the customers of a company or business  
  • Coaching Session - when a manager trains employees how to properly handle situations  
  • Complaint - communication from a customer that alleges deficiencies after a purchase has been made  
  • Conserve - to save  
  • Cooperation - concurrent effort or labor  
  • Cover Letter - a letter sent along with a resume to provide additional information  
  • Customer Service Representative - the employee in a business that most often interacts with a customer before and after a transaction has occurred  
  • Customer Service - a company’s ability to supply the wants and needs of a customer  
  • Dependability - the trait of being reliable  
  • Diversity - a state of difference  
  • Ethics - moral principles that guide a person’s behavior  
  • Functional organization - classical organization structure where employees are grouped hierarchically, managed through clear lines of authority, and ultimately report to one person  
  • Gossip - to talk too much about other people  
  • Harassment - being tormented  
  • High-Roller Customer - a customer who expects the absolute best, is willing to pay for it, and usually complains in a reasonable manner  
  • Honesty - integrity, sincerity, freedom from guile  
  • Initiative - the readiness and ability to begin acting on an idea or task  
  • Interview - an in-person meeting arranged to perform an assessment of an applicant  
  • Job Application - a verbal or written request for a job  
  • Loyalty - a sense of duty toward a superior or loved one  
  • Manager - a person who can control and direct a business  
  • Meek Customer - a customer who usually will not complain to the company, but is most dangerous because they do complain to other people  
  • Organizational chart - diagrams that show the structure of an organization and the relationships and relative ranks of its parts and positions/jobs  
  • Organizational structure - mainly a hierarchical structure, it shows the concept of subordination of entities that collaborate and contribute to a common cause  
  • Prioritize - ranking tasks and duties in order of importance  
  • Problem Solving - the thought process involved in solving a problem  
  • Punctual - on time  
  • References - a formal recommendation made by a former employer to a prospective employer concerning a job applicant’s skills and job performance  
  • Reliability - the trait of being one who others can count on  
  • Respect - to regard as worthy of special consideration  
  • Resume - a written document that lists your work experience, skills, and educational background  
  • Rip-Off Customer - a customer who tries to get something they are not entitled to by complaining and repeatedly responding “not good enough” to offers  
  • Self-discipline - controlling your impulses  
  • Troubleshoot - to determine what problems exist and how to correct them  
  • Trustworthiness - deserving of trust and confidence