Skills Dictionary

Browse skills and skill definitions from the Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Plan (WBLP).

(View the WBLP as a fillable Word document: mass_work_based_learning_plan_fillable.doc.


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Skills and Skill Defintions

Active Learning
Cultivating a practice of active learning by seeking out information, observing, asking questions and reading.

Applied Arts and Design
Applying design concepts and art techniques to workplace projects. Gain fluency in the techniques relevant to workplace projects, such as sketching, drawing, painting, mixed-media, collage, calligraphy, or other techniques.

Applied Mathematics
Applying mathematics to workplace situations; using mathematical thinking (such as looking for patterns, drawing graphs or applying geometry concepts) to analyze work projects. Demonstrating fluency with numbers, business math, measurement and basic calculations.

Attendance and Punctuality
- Arrives on time and prepared for work. | Provides sufficient notice if unable to report for work

Blueprint Reading
Reading and understanding blueprints, being able to locate specific information or measurements related to current tasks.

Career Awareness
Actively seeking information about careers; using this work experience to build awareness of career opportunities and educational opportunities in this career area. Though special projects and/or end-of-internship presentations, demonstrating awareness of the roles of professionals, volunteers, and others in this career area.

Child Development
Providing guidance and support to help children to participate in and learn from lessons, projects and activities, while helping to maintain a safe and nurturing environment. Role model appropriate behavior by being polite, being positive, and using appropriate language.

Classroom Technology
Supporting the use of technology in the classroom and school community. Becoming fluent in relevant software applications; using software features to effectively share lessons, projects and other classroom work.

Collecting and Organizing Information
Gathering and organizing information. Paying attention to accuracy of information; making sure that information is complete; avoiding duplication.

Communication
- Communicates effectively, orally and in writing, using the language and vocabulary appropriate to a variety of audiences within the workplace including coworkers, supervisors and customers | Demonstrates active listening skills; focuses attentively, makes eye contact or other affirming gestures, confirms understanding and follows directions

Computer Technology
Using computer software and computerized equipment to perform work tasks.

Cooking / Culinary Arts
Following professional standards in the preparation of food, including planning, preparation, food safety and related tasks.

Creativity
Generating ideas, projects or products that take a fresh approach; applying artistic and creative skills to everyday work projects.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Notices and identifies challenges and problems that arise in the workplace | Brings concerns to attention of supervisors when appropriate | Develops solutions to challenges and problems by analyzing available information and looking at options, guided by expectations for the position and goals of the organization

Customer Service
Communicating a positive attitude, empathy, energy and helpfulness to customers or co-workers and providing the assistance customers or co-workers need. Listening to, understanding and responding to customer needs.

Design Principles and Graphic Design
Understanding and applying design theory. Developing an eye for design. Learning and applying concepts of color, contrast, scale and typography.

Early Childhood / Math Literacy
Encouraging children to learn and practice basic math literacy by counting, measuring, using a calendar, noticing shapes, noticing patterns and doing simple calculations. Looking for natural connections to math concepts within children`s activities.

Early Childhood / Reading Literacy
Encouraging reading literacy skills by participating in story-time and other reading-related activities and by naturally incorporating new vocabulary, writing, words and letters into various aspects of children`s activities.

Early Childhood / STEM Literacy
Establishing a safe and supportive environment for classroom science and technology projects. Encouraging children to practice STEM skills, including observing, experimenting, and thinking about what you see.

Engineering Concepts
Participating in various aspects of projects being worked on by engineers including brainstorming, concept design, diagnostics and general problem solving.

Environmental Literacy
Demonstrating understanding of environmental issues applied to the workplace. Responding to customer questions about environmental issues; learning about environmental issues through special projects or research applied to the workplace.

Equipment Operation
Working with machinery and equipment; safely operating, maintaining, storing, and (if applicable) repairing equipment.

Fashion Merchandising
Selecting and dressing mannequins; selecting outfits for display; selecting colors and sizes for display; maintaining retail displays.

Food Safety
Following safety guidelines for storing, preparing, and serving food, based on industry standards. Following industry standards for the safe use of tools and equipment. Good communication, time management, and a comfortable pace of work are essential to creating a safe environment.

Health Literacy
Learn about, analyze, and communicate about health and wellness issues, including nutrition, exercise, healthy lifestyles and other issues related to personal and community health.

Horticulture and Plant Knowledge
Demonstrating knowledge of garden plants, weeds and invasive species through successfully performing professional tasks include transplanting, watering, weeding and invasive plant removal.

Landscaping
Use plants, hardscape, pathways, seating, signs and other features to create attractive and functional outdoor spaces.

Leadership
Lead, motivate, direct and mentor others to support work on workplace projects, classroom activities and community programs.

Maintenance / Repair / Painting
Work in a team to maintain, repair and improve buildings and building systems. Plan and schedule projects, respond to customer requests for maintenance and professionally complete projects.

Media Literacy
Applying communication skills, creative thinking, critical thinking, artistic skills and technical skills to use media to share ideas, promote events, provide entertainment and expression, build avenues of communication and build community.

Medical Office Customer Service / Interacting with Patients
Interact comfortably with patients, greet each patient; professionally escort patients to the lab, office, physical therapy workout room or other locations. Respect the diversity and confidentiality of each patient.

Medical Office Skills
Show professionalism and careful attention to detail in performing office tasks, including: - Pulling charts for upcoming patients. - Assisting with photocopying. - Scheduling patient appointments. - Making and organizing patient files. - Filing insurance and patient paperwork.

Medical Office Vocabulary
Becoming familiar with the vocabulary used in a clinical setting. Using knowledge of vocabulary when conducting web searches and other research tasks.

Menu Planning and Nutrition
Demonstrating knowledge of nutrition, health, food choices and diet; applying this knowledge to menu planning and choice of ingredients.

Motivation and Initiative
- Participates fully in tasks or projects from start to finish | Initiates interaction with supervisor for next task or project upon successful completion of previous one

Office Suite Software
Using spreadsheets, word processing and presentation software to prepare materials for workplace projects. Being consistent in use of formatting; applying attractive layouts; learning and using software features to efficiently complete tasks.

Organizing Classroom Materials
Keeping classroom supplies, art materials, toys and other materials organized. Making sure that materials are easy to find and ready to use.

Peer Leadership
Organizing and leading projects for other teens; demonstrating commitment to communicating, sharing information, and acting as a role model for others. Role modeling appropriate behavior by being polite, being positive, and using appropriate language. Encourage others to participate in activities by demonstrating active participation.

Photo Editing
Formatting pictures for use in publications and websites, including adjusting file size and canvas size, and applying cropping and color adjustments.

Project Management
Using formal and informal methods and tools to keep track of projects step-by-step. This may include using checklists, calendars, stylesheets, project notebooks and other tools as needed by the project.

Reading
Using reading comprehension skills when reading workplace materials. Using strategies to learn new vocabulary and learn about unfamiliar words, phrases and concepts.

Research and Analysis
Gathering and analyzing information through surveys, data collection, experiments, online and print sources and other methods.

Retail Sales
Assisting customers with selection of products. Comfortably building rapport when meeting customers. Supporting customer buying decisions by sharing information about the company products. Representing the company in a professional manner at all times.  Respecting the confidentiality and diversity of all customers.

Science Lab Concepts
Following professional standards for science lab or science classroom internships. Understanding and following lab procedures. Following safety procedures. Modeling scientific observation and experimentation skills.

Self-Advocacy
The practice of setting goals and identifying supports and strategies for achieving goals. In workplace experiences, taking initiative to find the most effective way to learn and master workplace skills and tasks. In career exploration, taking initiative to understand one`s own interests, strengths and weaknesses and researching and identifying possible career paths.

Social Media
Using social media creatively and responsibily to promote and share the work of a project or organization; to share ideas; and to connect with others.

Software Development
Planning, developing, testing and updating computer applications and software. Understanding the development process, including computer programming and coding skills.

Teaching and Instructing
Teaching information, concepts or skills to others, including children, peers, co-workers or customers. Effective instruction includes both presenting information, concepts or skills to others and following through to see that they are able to understand and apply what was taught.

Teamwork and Collaboration
- Works productively with co-workers, individually and in teams; supports organization`s mission and goals | Accepts direction and constructive feedback with positive attitude

Time Management
Establishing a healthy, comfortable and productive approach to using time. Time management includes: (a) thoughtfully and systematically deciding what tasks to do in what timeframe; (b) maintaining a steady, safe and comfortable pace of work; and (c) developing habits and approaches that lead to a comfortable pace of life (i.e., not rushing, being late or missing deadlines).

Understanding All Aspects of the Industry
Understanding the context for your work, including industry trends, technology, planning and management issues, staffing and financial issues and other aspects of the industry. Understanding that having experience in many different aspects of the industry helps people to build successful careers.

Web Development
Developing, maintaining and updating websites using a variety of tools and techniques.

Website Content
Review, edit and update websites using variety of tools based on appropriate platforms.

Workplace Culture, Policy and Safety
- Exhibits understanding of workplace culture and policy | Dresses appropriately for position and duties | Practices personal hygiene appropriate for position and duties | Follows professional standards for use of computers, phones and social media | Respects confidentiality | Complies with health and safety rules for the workplace

Writing
Using effective writing, editing and visual presentation skills to communicate with various audiences in the workplace.