LCVP Course PPT

Comprehensive Notes for the LCVP Exam

Link Modules

1. Preparation for the World of Work

   • Introduction to Working Life

   • Job-Seeking Skills

   • Career Investigation

   • Work Placement

2. Enterprise Education

   • Enterprise Skills

   • Local Business Enterprises

   • Local Voluntary Organisations/Community Enterprises

   • An Enterprise Activity

Introduction to Working Life

Definition of Work

• Work is described as an activity that requires effort, e.g., washing dishes at home.

• Employment refers to when payment is received for work done, e.g., washing dishes in a canteen for a wage.

Roles in Employment

• Employers: Individuals who hire workers in exchange for payment.

• Employees: Individuals who work for employers.

• Self-employed: Individuals who work for themselves, e.g., butchers, shop owners, builders.

Transition from School to Work

• Challenges Faced:

  • Time Management

  • Money Management

  • Forming New Relationships and Adapting to Different Roles

  • Understanding Rights and Responsibilities

  • Experiencing Freedom and Independence

Different Types of Work

1. Employment

2. Self-Employment

3. Voluntary Work

4. Homework

5. Housework

6. Charity Work

Voluntary Work

• Voluntary organisations rely on unpaid individuals, for example, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

• Benefits of voluntary work include helping others, enhancing self-esteem, and acquiring new skills.

Self-Employment

Characteristics

• Involves working for oneself; professions include butchers, shop owners, builders, and hairdressers.

Advantages

• You are your own boss; retain profits; can create jobs from hobbies; flexibility in work hours.

Disadvantages

• Long hours at the beginning; financial risks; losses borne solely by the self-employed; business failure risk.

Employment Types

Permanent Full-Time Employment

Advantages

• Stable income; benefits include pension schemes; financial planning ease; opportunities for promotions.

Disadvantages

• Job role monotony; less leisure time; potential lack of job movement incentives; low motivation over time.

Part-Time Work

• Involves working a minimum of eight hours weekly on a consistent basis.

• Time Rate Monitoring Strategies: attendance check-ins, clock-in/out systems, personal checks, video surveillance.

Monitoring Time-Keeping

1. Benefits:

   • Promotes punctuality

   • Accurate wage calculations

   • Reliability checks

   • Essential for flexitime adherence

Contract of Employment

• An essential formal agreement that outlines the employment terms, including the employer and employee's details, job title, responsibilities, salary, and holiday entitlements.

Unemployment

• Identifies individuals who cannot find suitable work for various reasons, including economic changes and technological advancements.

Training for the Unemployed Programs

1. SOLAS: Offers training courses and weekly allowances.

2. Community Enterprise Scheme (CES): Supports the long-term unemployed.

3. Failte Ireland: Focuses on the tourism industry.

4. VTOS: A scheme to upskill unemployed adults.

SOLAS Employment Services

• Aims to assist job-seekers and unemployed individuals by providing training and recruitment services.

Services Provided Include

1. Guidance interviews to develop profiles

2. Career information and planning

3. Employment incentives advice

4. Job vacancy information access

5. Submission of job seeker profiles to employers

Financial Assistance for the Unemployed

1. Jobseeker's Benefit: Weekly payment for those who lose jobs.

2. Jobseeker's Allowance: For individuals not qualifying for benefits.

3. Family Income Supplement (FIS): For families below a specific income threshold.

4. Revenue Job Assist: Tax relief for those returning to work.

5. Back to Work Enterprise Allowance: Encourages entrepreneurship among the unemployed.

6. Back to Education Allowance: Supports unemployed individuals pursuing education opportunities.

Changes in Employment Landscape

• Career transitions are common; more people work remotely, part-time, or share jobs due to evolving technology and the economic shift.

Economic Activity Types

• Primary: Agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining

• Secondary: Manufacturing, construction

• Tertiary (Services): Finance, transport, legal, medical

Employee and Employer Rights

Employee Rights

• Minimum wage entitlement

• Safe working conditions

• Equal treatment and holiday entitlements

Employee Responsibilities

• Honesty, teamwork, and upholding employer dignity and property.

Employer Rights

• Establish and manage a business, select staff, and set organizational objectives.

Employer Responsibilities

• Ensure safe working environments, adhere to employment laws, and maintain employee records.

Health & Safety Regulations

Legal Framework

• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 and subsequent regulations mandate workplace safety standards.

• The role of the Health and Safety Authority includes research and workplace inspections.

Common Workplace Concerns

• Bullying, safety hazards, sexual harassment, manual handling issues, and workplace stress.

Causes of Workplace Accidents

• Factors include improper training, cluttered environments, neglect of protocols, and inadequate equipment usage.

Employee Duties Towards Health & Safety

• Employees must ensure their safety and others, abstain from hazardous behavior, and report dangerous conditions.

Employer Duties Regarding Safety

• Employers must provide safe work environments, adequate training, and necessary protective gear.

Trade Unions

• Importance: Facilitate healthy employer-employee relations and advocate for workers' rights.

Examples

• SIPTU, Forsa, TUI, ASTI.

Functions of Trade Unions

• Represent worker interests, negotiate for benefits and conditions, and provide educational grants.

Role of a Shop Steward

• Elected by union members to represent their interests and communicate developments.

Job-Seeking Skills

Key Qualities for Employment

• Energy, reliability, enthusiasm, adaptability, relevant education, and experience.

Recruitment Methods

• Various channels, including media, recruitment agencies, and networking.

Reasons for Job Vacancies

• Expanding businesses, retirements, and seasonal work requirements.

Challenges in Recruitment for Employers

• Factors include dull job tasks, skills shortages, economic fluctuations, and unattractive compensation.

Strategies to Counter Recruitment Issues

• Consider international recruitment and provide flexible working conditions.

Benefits of Recruitment Agencies

• Comprehensive recruitment services that save time and enhance candidate selection.

Application Process

• Includes crafting letters, utilizing various communication forms, and preparing CV.

Phone Applications

• Tips for effective communication through the telephone.

Letter Writing Tips

• Guidelines to maintain professionalism and clarity.

Applying for a Job with CV

Importance of a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Serves as a summary of qualifications and experiences essential for job interviews.

Interview Preparation

Pre-Interview Steps

• Conduct thorough research, plan responses, and dress appropriately for success.

During the Interview

• Maintain a confident demeanor and actively engage with the interviewer.

Career Investigation

Planning Stage

• Set SMART goals for self-assessment and career development planning.

Stages of Career Investigation

• Develop a personal profile, research preferred job segments, and create contingency plans.

Work Shadowing

• The process entails observing professionals to gain insight into various careers.

Finding Work Shadow Placements

• Utilize guidance and networking to identify shadowing opportunities.

Work Placement Benefits

• It provides real-world experience and skills development beneficial for future employment.

Finding Work Experience

Steps to Secure Opportunities

• Define objectives, research local businesses to contact, and follow up to ensure engagement.

Preparing for Work Experience

Pre-Placement

• Setting objectives, organizational skills development, and coordinating necessary documentation.

Post-Placement Evaluation

• Reflecting on experiences to assess personal growth and future career paths.

Enterprise Skills

Definition and Scope of Enterprise

• Encompasses personal, community, and business endeavors aimed at improving skills, supporting localities, and generating business.

The Importance of Enterprise

• Contributes to job creation, economic growth, and technological advancement.

Entrepreneurial Characteristics

• Key attributes include risk-taking, innovation, decisiveness, and strong motivation.

Skills for Entrepreneurs

• Essential abilities include planning, decision-making, risk assessment, and goal-setting.

Strategies for Idea Generation

• Employ brainstorming, SWOT analysis, and market research to innovate business ideas.

Business Structure Types

• Sole Trader, Partnership, Company (private and public) with limited liability advantages in companies.

Stakeholders in Business

• Various interests, including employees, consumers, investors, and the local community.

Teamwork and Leadership

• Team collaboration enhances responsibility and productivity, while leadership directs group objectives and resource allocation.

Importance of Meetings

Purpose

• Meetings serve to exchange information, address problems, and facilitate cooperative decision-making.

Organising Effective Meetings

• Plan thoroughly, prepare agendas, and ensure proper documentation of proceedings.

Roles within a Committee

• Chairperson: Directs meetings

• Secretary: Manages records

• Treasurer: Oversees finances

• Public Relations Officer: Manages external communications

Local Business Enterprises

Benefits

• Local enterprises boost employment, support community initiatives, and contribute to economic development.

Evaluating Local Businesses

• Metrics include profitability, business continuity, employee retention, and corporate image.

10 Factors for Successful Business

1. Business Plan

2. Finance

3. Product Demand

4. Staffing

5. Location

6. Managerial Expertise

7. Legal Compliance

8. Economic Conditions

9. Product Quality

10. Environmental Factors

Business Plan Components

1. Business Description

2. Personal Profile

3. Financial Overview

4. Marketing Strategy

5. Production Plan

6. Relevant Legal Information

Importance of Market Research

Types

• Desk Research: Existing data, Field Research: New data collection from target market.

Marketing Mix

1. Product

2. Price

3. Place

4. Promotion

5. Packaging

SWOT Analysis

• Identifies business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats essential for strategic planning.

Voluntary Organisations and Community Enterprises

Definitions

• Groups that provide support and development within communities without profit motives.

Examples

• Local clubs, national organizations like St. Vincent de Paul, and other charitable efforts.

Benefits of Voluntary Work

• Provides essential services, fosters community engagement, and enhances social welfare.

Evaluation in Voluntary Organisations

• Reviews organizational goals, assesses achievements, and plans for future growth and improvement.

Community Enterprises

Purpose

• Focuses on local services and economic improvement through small businesses benefiting communities.

Comparison: Voluntary vs Business Enterprises

Characteristics

• Voluntary: Non-profit, funded by donations, no risk.

• Business: Profit-based, staff compensated, entails commercial risk.

Multinational Business Pros and Cons

Advantages

• Job creation, technology transfer, economic growth, improved product access.

Disadvantages

• Potential monopoly, low local wages, environmental and safety concerns relative to local standards.

Best Practices for MNCs

• They should prioritize local employment, skill training, and long-term community benefits.

An Enterprise Activity - Product/Service Development

Steps

1. Idea development

2. Market research implementation

3. Feasibility assessment for business viability

Marketing Research Types

• Desk Research: Existing data, Field Research: New data collection through direct interaction with potential customers.

Marketing and Promotion

Key Strategies

1. Developing strong product attributes

2. Strategic pricing

3. Effective distribution and promotional tactics

Advertising

• Attract attention and drive sales through different media channels, maintaining clear objectives and budgets.