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 Online behaviour and online bullying
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Using devices safely and responsibly at work
Learners show dangers and ways to protect information at Entry Level, identify common risks and describe safe behaviours at Level 1, and at Level 2 demonstrate responsible behaviour and explain how poor digital behaviour could affect workplace safety, security or reputation. The criteria require this, and the amplification covers scam emails, phishing, strong passwords, padlock symbols, logging off and updates.
DCF: Identity, image and reputation, Online behaviour and online bullying
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils sort example emails into safe and scam, pointing to the clues such as a strange sender address or an urgent link.
- Year 8
- Pupils make a checklist of safe device habits for a school office, including strong passwords, locking the screen and checking for the padlock symbol.
- Year 9
- Pupils read a scenario where a worker clicked a phishing link and posted about the company online, then explain the effects on security and reputation and the rules that would have prevented it.
Show the specification wording and the DCF statements
Where it is in the specification: Entry Level, learning outcome 5, page 5; Level 1 and Level 2, learning outcome 5, assessment criteria 5.1 and 5.2, page 8; Amplification of learning outcome 5, page 12
“Explain how poor digital behaviour could affect workplace safety, security or reputation.”
Progression step 3
I can understand how to protect myself from online identity theft, e.g. identifying secure sites, phishing, scam websites.
I can demonstrate appropriate online behaviour and apply a range of strategies to protect myself and others from possible online dangers, bullying and inappropriate behaviour, e.g. turn off comments on digital media, reporting, block users.
Progression step 4
I can use strategies for guarding myself against identity theft and online scams that try to access my personal information.
I can act appropriately online, keeping myself safe and behaving in a responsible manner.
I can understand the implications of online actions, including my digital footprint and the legal implications of sharing inappropriate material.
Progression step 5
I can continuously evaluate online behaviour, taking into consideration the consequences of actions; take action to minimise risk to safety and security; consider global and cultural perspectives and adapt behaviour accordingly.
I can build a positive reputation in the context of employment prospects, e.g. use social media responsibly.
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).