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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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