All TSSB
Recognized skill standards are comprised of
seven elements. For the six work- and
worker-oriented elements, the TSSB adopted the
common nomenclature endorsed by the National
Skill Standards Board (NSSB). (The NSSB no
longer exists as a federal entity. However,
manufacturing and customer service and sales
skill standards developed by its voluntary
partnerships, the MSSC and the Sales &
Service Voluntary Partnership, have been
recognized by the TSSB and are still
viable.)
Three work-oriented elements describe the
work itself and the level of performance
considered competent on the job:
1. Critical Work
Functions – are the principal
responsibilities required to perform the
key purpose, or work-related goal, of the
occupation, as indicated in the skill
standards. Typically, an occupation can be
described with 10-15 critical work
functions.
2. Key
Activities – are the major
duties (or sectors of tasks) that must be
performed to accomplish each Critical Work
Function. As a general rule, 3 to 6 key
activities will describe each critical work
function.
3. Performance
Criteria – are the standards
that indicate when a key activity is
performed competently. Performance criteria
identify the type, quality and level of
output of the key activities.
Three worker-oriented elements identify the
skills, knowledge and conditions required to
do the work:
4. Occupational
Skills, Knowledge and Conditions
– are the technical skills specific
to an occupation or industry, such as
reading blueprints or knowledge of graphic
design and layout principles, and the
tools, resources and equipment required to
perform a key activity.
5. Academic Knowledge
and Skills – are the four
traditional academic subjects, including
both the knowledge and the ability to apply
that knowledge on the job.
Mathematics -
Understand, interpret, and manipulate
numeric or symbolic information; solve
problems by selecting and applying
appropriate quantitative methods, such as
arithmetic, quantitative reasoning,
estimation, measurement, probability,
statistics, algebra, geometry, and
trigonometry.
Reading -
Understand and make use of written
information that may be presented in a
variety of formats, such as text, tables,
lists, figures, and diagrams; and select
reading strategies appropriate to the
purpose such as skimming for highlights,
reading for detail, reading for meaning and
critical analysis.
Science -
Understand and apply the basic principles
of the physical, chemical, biological, and
behavioral sciences; understand and apply
the scientific method, including
formulating and stating hypotheses and
evaluating them by experimentation or
observation.
Writing -
Express ideas and information in written
form clearly, succinctly, accurately, and
in an organized manner; use English
language conventions of spelling,
punctuation, grammar, and sentence and
paragraph structure; and tailor written
communication to the intended purpose and
audience.
6. Employability
Knowledge and Skills – are
applied knowledge and skills required for
effective performance across a range of
occupations. There are 13 employability
knowledge and skills.
Adaptability
- Change one’s own behavior or
work methods to adjust to other people
or to changing situations or work
demands; be receptive to new
information, ideas, or strategies to
achieve goals.
Analyzing
and Solving Problems - Anticipate or
identify problems and their causes;
develop and analyze potential solutions
or improvements using rational/logical
processes or innovative and creative
approaches when
needed.
Building
Consensus - Build consensus among
individuals or groups by: facilitating
agreements that involve sharing or
exchanging resources or resolving
differences in such a way as to promote
mutual goals and interests; persuading
others to change their point of view or
behavior without losing their future
support; and resolving conflicts,
confrontations, and disagreements while
maintaining productive working
relationships.
Gathering
and Analyzing Information - Obtain
facts, information, or data relevant to
a particular problem, question, or issue
through observation of events or
situations, discussion with others,
research, or retrieval from written or
electronic sources; organize, integrate,
analyze, and evaluate
information.
Leading
Others - Motivate, inspire and influence
others toward effective individual or
teamwork performance, goal attainment,
and personal learning and development by
serving as a mentor, coach, and role
model, and by providing feedback and
recognition/rewards.
Listening -
Attend to, receive, and correctly
interpret verbal communications and
directions through cues such as the
content and context of the message and
the tone and “body language”
of the speaker.
Making
Decisions and Judgments - Make decisions
that consider relevant facts and
information, potential risks and
benefits, and short- and long-term
consequences of
alternatives.
Organizing
and Planning - Organize and structure
work for effective performance and goal
attainment; set and balance priorities;
anticipate obstacles; formulate plans
consistent with available human,
financial, and physical resources; and
modify plans or adjust priorities given
changing goals or
conditions.
Self and
Career Development - Identify own work
and career interests, strengths, and
limitations, and pursue education,
training, feedback, or other
opportunities for learning and
development; manage, direct, and monitor
one’s own learning and
development.
Speaking -
Express ideas and facts orally in a
clear and understandable manner that
sustains listener attention and
interest; tailor oral communication to
the intended purpose and
audience.
Using
Information and Communications
Technology - Select, access, and use
necessary information, data, and
communications-related technologies,
such as basic personal computer
applications, telecommunications
equipment, Internet, electronic
calculators, voice mail, electronic
mail, facsimile, and copying equipment,
to accomplish work
activities.
Using
Social Skills - Interact with others in
ways that are friendly, courteous, and
tactful, and that demonstrate respect
for individual and cultural differences,
and for the attitudes and feelings of
others.
Working in
Teams - Work cooperatively and
collaboratively with others to achieve
goals by sharing or integrating ideas,
knowledge, skills, information, support,
resources, responsibility, and
recognition.
Ratings for Academic and
Employability Knowledge and
Skills
Each
academic and employability knowledge and
skill is rated from a low of 1 to a high
of five. The rating indicates the level
or complexity of knowledge and skill
required to perform the Critical Work
Function. The relevant academic and
employability knowledge and skills and
their rating levels are found in the
matrix attached to each Critical Work
Function.
The ratings
are determined using skill scales
developed by the NSSB and described
fully in the NSSB’s Skill Scales
Companion Guide. The TSSB wishes to acknowledge
the use of the academic and
employability knowledge and skills, and
the associated skill scales and
Companion Guide used to determine rating
levels, developed by the
NSSB.
7. Statement of
Assessment – is the seventh
skill standards element. The Statement of
Assessment simply indicates the method of
assessment (including strategy and required
tools and equipment) that the industry
group recommends educators use to evaluate
the level of skill attainment for each
Critical Work Function. The Statement of
Assessment is found at the end of the
Academic and Employability Knowledge and
Skills (AEKS) matrix attached to each
critical work function.
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