DIGITAL CAREER & SKILLS READINESS COURSE

From Student to Career-Ready Professional

Course Overview

Course Goals

Successfully complete an independent Digital Career & Skills Readiness Assessment demonstrating that you have a high-quality digitally evidenced based 'career ready persona' available to share with the outside world. This assessment is based on the ACE (Assessed Competency Evidence) framework, ensuring your skills, learning plans, behavioral traits, professional materials, and interview readiness are comprehensively evaluated and validated.

Supporting Course Objectives:

  • ✓ Select and plan a preferred career pathway
  • ✓ Evidence 10+ key required skills & competencies with supporting materials
  • ✓ Plan your continuing skill development & learning
  • ✓ Identify and display your interests, values, personal strengths and career preferences
  • ✓ Optimise your profile & Job interview readiness by engaging with your own Career advisor MONICA

Key Tools

DCEXA Platform

Digital Career EXchAnge - Central Framework for profile, career planning and skill evidencing showcase platform & employer engagement. A unique 'ACE' based application ie Assessed Competency Evidence

Visit DCEXA →

Digital MONICA

Virtual assistant, AI Career Advisor, mock interviewer, and skills coach

Guidance & Information Resources

SWOT Analysis, Videos, FAQs, Help documentation, and (i) information buttons available throughout the DCEXA application to guide you at every step

Visit FAQ →

"I keep six honest serving-men (They taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who."

— Rudyard Kipling, The Elephant's Child

This course uses Kipling's framework to guide your career readiness journey. By answering these six fundamental questions about your career, you'll develop a comprehensive understanding of your professional identity and readiness.

Course Background and Context

WHY?

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Why is this important? The majority of graduates and young jobseekers the world over are viewed by employers as not being 'career or career skill ready' and thus do not attain positions on graduation in particular in their field of study or expertise. Many who are actually employed do not hold down positions for long for the same reason. This skill gap situation is worsening and will continue to do so with the advent of AI and related digital technologies impacting most areas and professions. Whether there is a genuine lack of skills and competency OR an inability to provide, or no vehicle for, evidencing it is key that Graduates and jobseekers understand what is involved in career readiness in their chosen field and can evidence that well in public and ideally have that evidence ratified. Increasingly AI based tools will and are being be used by employers to assess/filter and interview candidates. You must have be DIGITALLY career ready to be able to insulate yourself and be assessed as positively as possible in these environments. Completing this course provide you with the framework to do that in a disciplined 'ACE' Assessed Competency Evidence basis which should help distinguish and differentiate you from other jobseekers.

WHO?

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WHO should take this course and assessment? Imminent graduates from academia /training programs / general jobseekers

WHEN?

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WHEN do I need to complete it? You should complete this as a minimum in your final year of work training, academic study or professional or company training programs. Ideally start it from the beginning and build your profile and skills and competency and associated evidence as you go. The course can be conducted in Hours or weeks or months depending on your circumstances and the urgency of your plans.

WHERE?

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WHERE do I carry it out? This course may be available to you in your organisations online learning environment and be linked to the DCEXA and MONICA. If there is no learning platform you can access the course and JOINDCEXA.com and be linked to the supporting framework and tools to complete the course. It is a web based application and will require good wifi reception.

WHAT?

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WHAT do I accomplish with this? A relatively simple but disciplined journey through making you be visibly and in reality Career and skill ready for your preferred career pathway. Assessing your progress as you go and at the conclusion of the course.

HOW?

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HOW do I do it? Engage with your organisation/Teacher /Trainer/Manager to get links/access eg to learning resources AND OR go to JOINDCEXA.COM and get started.

Module 1: Create your Initial Digital Identity

Onboard to DCEXA, establish a foundational digital persona, and get an initial assessment & feedback. This module focuses on understanding yourself and creating a strong first impression.
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Activity 1.1: Building Your DCEXA Biography

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Read 'Getting started' then go to your Biography page. Complete your profile with a quality photo, background image ideally reflecting your personality, contact details, current career pathway if any including employment status, and a sharp 150 word or so bio.
Getting Started Profile Setup Complete Profile

Key Tasks:

1Initially complete My Biography section in DCEXA
2Review and take cognizance of other good example users
3Upload a professional photo and personalised background image
4Write a compelling 120-150 word bio sharply describing the real you
5Upload your latest resume ideally relevant to your likely career pathway
6Record and upload a 30-45 second personal video
7Review your initial identity profile by 'Viewing as employer'. This is what you will now look like to the outside world
8Click on Publish BIO button to access all the next steps

Activity 1.2: Personal SWOT Analysis

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Conduct a comprehensive SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis to understand your current position and how you align with your ideal career pathway or various pathways you are considering. This is personal to you and be as realistic and honest to yourself as it will force you to consider actions to address.

Key Tasks:

1Complete a personal SWOT analysis
2Identify 3-5 key strengths to highlight
3Recognize 2-3 weaknesses to address through learning
4Amend your Bio and or Resume and or Video based on your SWOT analysis highlighting strengths not properly articulated. You may choose to hold back any updates until Module 3
DCEXA SWOT Table example

Example: DCEXA SWOT Table (Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats)

Access SWOT Table: Visit SWOT Analysis Tool →

Module 2: Build your Career Skill Plan

The "WHAT" - Based on your evidenced, and independently Assessed skills established to date and your career preferences select a preferred career pathway. Fully understand the skill requirements in detail, and then build a strategic Skill Progression and Learning Plan to accomplish career readiness. This module transforms your career aspirations into critical actionable steps.
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Activity 2.1: Career Pathway Exploration and initial Skill evidencing

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First of all assemble on your hard drive or Folder the artefacts ie PDFs of documents or certificates or links or videos that you believe will provide evidence of a level of competency in your technical skills. You will simply Evidence all your skill artefacts and then based on an independent assessment of your skills and competency levels consider the closest matching career pathway options as highlighted to you in DCEXA. You then view your assessed skill progression status for the chosen career pathway. This skills-first approach is more exploratory and allows the system to suggest pathways based on your demonstrated competencies. It's ideal if you're still exploring different career options or want to understand where your current skills naturally lead you. By uploading all your evidence first, you get a comprehensive assessment that can guide your pathway selection.

An alternative approach if you are struggling to source evidence of your
skills in general to to FIRST of all select your preferred career
pathway from the list available ..... You will be presented with table
of the skills and related competencies levels needed and you then
simply ADD EVIDENCE in the skills section as best you can skill by skill
Career Pathways Pathway Details Skills Evidence Skills Table Add Evidence Upload Files

Key Tasks:

1Try to source in your files the likely artefacts ie documents in PDF form, short technical videos and Certificates or if all else fails evidence and details of Grades achieved which will demonstrate your competency level in technical skills that you believe you possess. Assemble these ready for a simple upload into DCEXA. Make sure you have all your key skills covered regardless of whether or not they relate to your likely preferred career pathway

ALTERNATIVELY Start by selecting your preferred pathway from the List of
Career pathways and then simply ADD EVIDENCE required skill by skill on
your skill table
2Review you skill Files in the skill section to ensure you have uploaded everything successfully and you haven't missed key documents or evidence on key skills
3Use Jobs section of DCEXA on Career pathways tab to see the best /most appropriate career pathway for you. Here you may be able to view the content of those pathways and consider best options
4You can cycle through various career pathway options and skill plan requirements before settling on and selecting an initial career pathway for planning purposes
5You can view your initial Career Readiness score in your Skill Roadmap or Skill Progression table for your preferred career pathway when you have selected
6Make an informed decision based on your interests, values, and current skill set. If required understand the specific skill and competency requirements for your chosen pathway
7Click on Preferred career pathway for your chosen career pathway

Activity 2.2: Understand skill competency roadmaps on each key skill

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Before concluding on your career pathway plans make sure you understand what the key skills are and what different levels of competency entails.
Skill Competency Roadmap

Key Tasks:

1View skill progression table for your initial preferred pathway and examine the competency roadmap
2Make sure you have a confidence level you already have these competency levels and/ or you broadly know where to source and learn these skills either in your existing learning /training environment or externally online
3Look into the detail of what novice, competence means for the key skills before concluding on the best option for you

Activity 2.3: Building Your Skill Progression Plan

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Create a strategic timing readiness roadmap for developing skills over defined periods, with clear targets for each skill and realted competency level. Ensure that when you need further learning that you have enrolled or registered in appropriate internal organisation or external eg Online programs.
Skill Progression Plan Progression Timeline

Key Tasks:

1Access the Skill Progression/Roadmap Plan interface and the understand the scoring mechanism based on weightings and competency levels
2View and understand your current actual assessed status, target required, and planned competency ratings for each skill with a bridge to your readiness target ie See the target typical hirability score (e.g., 60+ for graduates 80 plus for senior professionals 100 for consultants or subject matter Experts)
3open up your 4 period view and plan how to bridge your
skill competency gaps knowing that this is a viable plan supported by a
good source of learning
4Define your periods (semesters or years). This is your own internal plan which may be weeks months semesters or years

Activity 2.4: The Learning Plan

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Identify and close your skill gaps through internal and external resources, creating a complete learning roadmap.
Learning Plan - Skills Table

Key Tasks:

1Access the Learning Plan view
2Identify skills covered by already evidenced and assessed skills
3Find and understand skill learning covered by Internal organisation courses or classes for missing competency gaps on key skills nb If competency level has already been achieved a planned class is technically not required but further learning and skills development is encouraged. If your organisation has automatically published class syllabus and enrolments you will be presented with options for each required skill. If not you should just enter the details of the class you are attending for those skills where you have a skill gap. Where you have to enrol into a new class only record that when you have enrolled. Similarly if you have to enrol in an external eg Online course
4Create an initial Learning Plan with all skills ideally having already achieved required competency OR having a known source of learning either internally within your leaning environment or externally eg Online per the options provided. At this initial stage you don't not need to be enrolled and complete but you should know that your plan is broadly achievable
5If a learning plan for your preferred career pathway is simply NOT VIABLE ..go back and consider alternative career pathway and related skill progression needs and connected /combined learning plans ..by easily modelling your options in DCEXA you may discover an easier /more credible career pathway
6You can cycle through various career pathways and learning plans until you optimise your plan
7You can also actually plan learning plans for more than one career pathway if you wish to give yourself various career options ..BUT ensure you have at least one definitely preferred pathway as this is what will come up on employer searches
8Finally having modelled and planned your way to your selected pathway your profile bio will be automatically updated but be sure to align your resume video bio content etc accordingly

Module 3: Enhance and Optimise your Readiness

The "HOW" - Engage with your own Career advisor or assistant and if need be refine your personal profile, your skill progression and learning plan. Build your positive personal traits profile, conduct a mock interview and look to share your overall highlights externally to get feedback before also finalising both your final Showcase or End of term Capstone or thesis. This module focuses on how you best present yourself to the world and the job market before completing the course with your final digital career and skills readiness assessment
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Activity 3.1: Promote your Positive Behavioural Traits

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Understand, consider and evidence any key positive personality behavioural traits that employers will also value. These traits or positive personal behavioural are separate from other typical or expected soft skills eg good communications teamwork, reliability etc all of which are normally taken as granted by employers. Traits such as creativity, adaptability, flexibility and leadership are items that may distinguish you from others.
Behavioural Skills

Key Tasks:

1Review short list of classic positive personal behavioural traits in DCEXA skills section and the different levels per the skill progression roadmap
2Select these personalised behavioural skills or traits that you believe you possess (leadership, creativity adaptability etc.) add these to your skills and evidence as best you can using ADD EVIDENCE Section
3Consider the impact of these traits in your personal statement Bio resume and personal video ensuring they are properly represented

Activity 3.2: Refine and Share Profile Highlights

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Polish your profile by engaging with your Career advisor or personal mentor and preview it through an employer's perspective again to ensure maximum impact using good example users to compare with.

Key Tasks:

1Engage your career advisor MONICA on optimization and best possible refinement of your Bio statement, resume and personal video incorporating positive behavioral traits and your updated personal statement
2Select your best project, thesis, or capstone at the conclusion of your course and upload it as evidence of applied skills and competency.
3Share Highlights with external sources eg Friends ,family, teachers
4Monitor your personal presence on Social Media for consistency and professional image

Activity 3.3: Mock Interview Practice

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Practice interview skills with MONICA's AI-powered feedback to build confidence and improve your responses.
Mock Interview Interview Feedback

Key Tasks:

1Run a written mock interview with MONICA
2Complete a audio or video mock interview if available
3Review MONICA's feedback on your responses
4Identify areas for improvement and practice again. Your final interview will be used to evaluate you

Activity 3.4: Final Course Digital Career and Skill Readiness Assessment

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Request a comprehensive final assessment of your career readiness to validate your progress and identify any final areas for enhancement.
Final Assessment

Key Tasks:

1In the Ratings section of DCEXA request a Career Readiness Assessment
2Review your assessment results and feedback
3Address any final recommendations before publishing your profile
4Publish your final readiness evidence to make your profile visible to employers

Assessment & Grading

Your career readiness will be assessed across the following dimensions with weighted scoring aligned to DCEXA standards:

Assessment Component Weight Description
1. Skill Competency Evidence 50% Quality and relevance of uploaded evidence artefacts demonstrating competency in required skills
2. Skill Learning Plan 10% Viability and completeness of skill gap closure strategy and learning pathway
3. Behavioural Traits Evidence 10% Evidence and demonstration of positive personal behavioural traits
4. Resume, Video & Bio 20% Completeness and professionalism of biography, video, resume, and personal statement
5. Interview Readiness 10% Preparation and performance in mock interviews and employer engagement

Post Course and Assessment

Immediate Next Steps

1. Publish Your Profile

Make your DCEXA profile visible to employers and publicly ensure your ACE-based DCEXA profile is visibly linked along with key evidenced skills.

2. Engage with Employer Events

Participate in organization online/virtual events and industry-based professional networking to increase visibility.

3. Apply for Positions

Start applying for positions aligned with your career pathway, ensuring your DCEXA profile is linked with applications.

4. Monitor Your Presence

Regularly review and update your social media profiles and DCEXA presence to ensure consistency and professional image.

CPD - Continuing Professional Development

1. Revisit Career Pathways

Regularly revisit career pathways for future growth and consider new opportunities aligned with your evolving interests and skills.

2. Identify New Certifications

Identify new certificates and qualifications to pursue that align with your 2-5 year professional development plan.

3. Update Your Evidence

Continuously update your DCEXA ACE-based evidence portfolio with new projects, certifications, and skill demonstrations.

4. Maintain Your Profile

Keep your profile optimized and maintain your professional presence in DCEXA and on professional networks throughout your career.

Ready to Transform Your Career?

Begin your journey to career readiness today. Visit DCEXA and complete your profile to unlock your full potential.

Go to DCEXA Platform →

DIGITAL CAREER & SKILLS READINESS COURSE

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