Skills for Work: Using IT in the Workplace
Using IT in the workplace is a 20 hour Skills for Work unit, from Entry 1 to Level 2, that learners combine with other units into a Skills for Work Award, Certificate or Diploma. It is a digital unit throughout: learners find and organise work information with digital tools, create, edit and format workplace documents, communicate professionally by email, chat and video call, and use devices safely and responsibly. Every learning outcome is digital, and centres need computers or tablets with office style software. Level 2 adds comparing the reliability of sources, adjusting messages for different audiences, accessibility in formatting and rules on copyright, plagiarism and data protection.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Entry Level 1 to Level 2
- Guided learning hours
- 20
- First taught
- September 2027
- Amount of digital work
- High
How this unit is assessed
- Entry Level (Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3): Five learning outcomes with separate Entry 1, Entry 2 and Entry 3 assessment criteria. Evidence is compiled into a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC. 20 guided learning hours.
- Level 1 and Level 2: Five learning outcomes with separate Level 1 and Level 2 assessment criteria. Evidence is compiled into a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC. 20 guided learning hours.
Skills that use Creating digital content
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Creating and formatting workplace documents
Learners create simple digital documents and make formatting changes at Entry Level, use a suitable tool to develop a workplace document and use formatting tools at Level 1, and at Level 2 produce content for a work-related purpose and format it to improve layout, accessibility and structure. The criteria require this, and the amplification lists forms, notices, reports, presentations and a simple CV.
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils type a classroom notice in a word processor and add a heading, bullet points and one image.
- Year 8
- Pupils make a one page work rota for a school event using a table, headings and consistent fonts, and save it with a clear file name.
- Year 9
- Pupils produce a short workplace guide for new staff, using headings styles, a table and alt text on images so that it is accessible, and choose a format such as PDF for sharing.
Show the specification wording and the DCF statements
Where it is in the specification: Entry Level, learning outcome 3, page 4; Level 1 and Level 2, learning outcome 3, assessment criteria 3.1 and 3.3, page 7; Amplification of learning outcome 3, pages 10 and 11
“Use suitable digital tools to format content in ways that improve layout, accessibility, and structure.”
Progression step 3
I can use a range of software to select, produce and edit a range of multimedia components for a purpose, such as:
- text and images, e.g. format text (bold, underline, italics, highlight); insert and edit text boxes; columns; use refine tools (spellchecker, find and replace); word wrap; crop; alter size and shape; alter images; add effects; trim and split sound and video clips; transitions; onion skin
- presentation, e.g. page orientation; animations; transitions; remove and alter images; use background; use action buttons to create hyperlink; embed objects.
I can use software tools to enhance the outcomes for specific audiences.
Progression step 4
I can select and use a variety of appropriate software, tools and techniques to create, modify and combine multimedia components for a range of audiences and purposes, such as:
- text and images, e.g. explore and use effectively image manipulation techniques; explore and use appropriately the many aspects of document layout; use animation, video and audio effects such as echo, tempo, envelope, layering, frame rate, key frames
- presentation, e.g. use design tools; adapt themes and colours to suit the purpose; create master templates.
I can explore and develop a range of formal text document structures for different audiences and purposes.
Progression step 5
I can use a variety of software, tools and techniques to create a professional, individual or collaborative project outcome incorporating a range of multimedia components.
Good to know
- Each level has its own unit code: "S666E1", S666E2, S666E3, S666L1 and S666L2, and the unit is 20 guided learning hours (Unit overview, page 3).
- Equipment is required: "Centres will need access to computers or tablets with office-style software and simple simulated workplace tasks" (Resources required for delivery, page 15).
- Evidence can be collected digitally: the pack lists "screen recordings or annotated screenshots showing how learners use tools to organise files, format content, or send communications" and "reflective logs or video/audio diaries" (Sources of evidence, page 14), and the portfolio "is not limited to paper-based materials" (Skills for Life and Work specification, Section 4.1, page 18).
- Entry criteria are worded for action and talk, for example "with actions and words" (Entry 3, page 4), so a learner can demonstrate a skill while the teacher records it.
- The suggested tasks are optional: "These tasks are not mandatory." (Skills for Life and Work specification, Section 4.1, page 18).
- AI tools may be used only if acknowledged: AI misuse includes "Using AI to complete parts of the assessment so that the work does not reflect the learner's own work" and "Incomplete or poor acknowledgement of AI tools" (Section 4.6, page 21). Teachers should check documents and messages created for this unit are the learner's own.
Links with other qualifications
The pack names Wellbeing in work, Customer service, Fairness and inclusion in the workplace, Working in Wales and Understanding the changing labour market as closely related Skills Suite units, and Online safety covers similar ground to learning outcome 5. File management, document creation, professional communication and safe use of devices link directly with GCSE Digital Technology, and safe and responsible use also with GCSE Computer Science. Creating workplace documents and messages with suitable tone links with GCSE Business and VCSE Retail and Customer Service, and the pack signposts construction as a sector where IT is used, which links with VCSE Built Environment.
Source: WJEC Using IT in the workplace unit delivery and assessment pack, read with the WJEC Entry 1 to Level 2 Skills for Life and Skills for Work specification, approved by Qualifications Wales, teaching from September 2027 (© WJEC CBAC Ltd 2026).