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Nature of Work (Byte Size Skills Course)


Stonebridge College.

Summary

Price
£89.99 inc VAT
Finance options
Finance options available
Study method
Distance learning
Duration
20 hours · Self-paced
Qualification
SAC Certificate
Awarded by Stonebridge Associated Colleges

Overview

Nature of Work Course

In this course, you are introduced in detail to the concept of work, with our main focus upon paid work within the employment relationship.

In Section 1, we look at the meaning of work, both historically, when we revisit the ideas of Weber and Marx, and within contemporary British society. We then go on to look at how jobs and occupations are categorised, the characteristics of the labour market and the role of women workers within it.

In Section 2, we deal with how jobs and occupations are arranged and structured within British society, both vertically, or hierarchically, and horizontally. We also look at how people can progress in their jobs and careers, and why some people move downwards. We also examine the labour market and its characteristics, particularly in relation to part-time workers and women workers.

In Section 3, we examine the meanings given to work by workers themselves, and the concept of "work orientations" is introduced. This is followed, in Section 4, by an analysis of the emerging "information economy" and the impact of new technologies upon work and organisations.

Finally, we deal with trends and prospects concerning unemployment, the service sector of the economy, working time and work outside employment.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • define work and differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.

  • indicate how the meaning of work and human attitudes towards it are affected by cultural and social factors and give some historical examples.

  • explain how Weber's protestant work ethic and Marx's concept of alienation are relevant to modern attitudes to work and have meaning for the individual.

  • describe in basic terms some models used to describe the structure of work and list the groups or categories identified in the hierarchical occupational model.

  • explain through examples the concept of occupational mobility and some of the factors that may affect this.

  • examine two significant features of the labour market, the dual labour market and the sexual division of labour, and discuss the reasons put forward to explain them.

  • list some broad occupational groups into which work has been dividedand give examples of how the market power and status of occupational groups may change as society changes.

  • define the concept of "work orientation" and critically discuss some important studies of it.

  • illustrate how work orientation is a dynamic rather than a static quality and identify some of the influences inside and outside work that may determine how people give meaning to their work.

  • describe some current changes in UK work and job patterns and in the economy, and identify social and economic factors influencing their development.

  • describe a range of developments in information technology and explain their importance in relation to global competitive and economic developments.

  • discuss the impact of new technologies on work, particularly in relation to flexibility, work design, and organisational structure and employment patterns.

  • identify some of the changing patterns of work, employment and unemployment and discuss in an informed way possible future trends.

Description

Syllabus

Introduction

Objectives

Section 1: Work, Meaning and Culture

Culture and work

Section 2: Occupations and the Structure of Work

Occupational structure

Work and occupations

Types of work: labour market segmentation

Women?s employment

Section 3: Work Orientations and Meaning

Orientations to work: Goldthorpe et al

Subsequent research on orientations to work

Section 4: Changing Work Arrangements

Setting the scene

The informal economy

The changing economy

Economic circumstances and information technologies

Impact of new technologies upon work

Section 5: Changes in Work, Employment and Unemployment

Unemployment

The service sector

Working time and work outside employment

Summary

Tutor-marked Question Paper


On completion of your course, you will receive the dual award:

Award 1 is issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges: Nature of Work (Byte Size Skills Course) Certificate

Award 2 is issued by our Awarding Body: Level 1 Nature of Work (Byte Size Skills Course) Award

At the end of this course successful learners will also receive a Level 1 NCFE Award Certificate of Achievement. Our course has been accredited under our NCFE IIQ Licence and the course measurable learning outcomes have been benchmarked at Level 1 (using Ofqual's Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) level descriptors) to allow you to consider the depth of study, difficulty, and level of achievement involved.

Requirements

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.


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FAQs

Study method describes the format in which the course will be delivered. At Reed Courses, courses are delivered in a number of ways, including online courses, where the course content can be accessed online remotely, and classroom courses, where courses are delivered in person at a classroom venue.

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