Personal Learning

Journal

Department of Social Protection

August 2021
Table of Contents

About your WPEP Personal Learning Journal 3

Introduction 4

Using your Personal Learning Journal 5

Benefits of Journaling 6
WPEP Work Experience Accredited Module 9
Completing your Personal Learning Journal 10

Useful Resources 12

Getting Started 14
Part 1: Setting Your Goals 17
Part 2: Focus on Your Skills 23
Part 3: Skills Development Plan 33
Focus on Education 35
Focus on Training 35
Focus on Experience 36
Part 4: Plan to achieve your goals 37
Part 5: Weekly Journal Weeks 1-12 45
Part 6: Mid-Way Review: Week 13 73
Part 7: Weekly Journal Weeks 14-25 79
Part 8: Post Placement Reflection and Review 105

Appendix 1: Personal Learning Plan 111

Notes 114

1
2
About your WPEP
Personal Learning
Journal

3
 Introduction

Congratulations on starting your new work placement and

welcome to the Programme. The aim of the Work Placement
Experience Programme (WPEP) is to give you good work
experience that will help you to develop new skills in a supportive
workplace so that you can improve your opportunity for future
employment. Your Host has agreed to provide you with a work
experience placement for six months where you will be working
and training for 30 hours each week.

The work placement includes a commitment from you and

the Host that you plan to achieve 60 hours of training over
the programme, twenty of which will be accredited or sector
recognised. The plan for this training will be set out in your
Personal Learning Plan (PLP) and should be updated as each
part of your training is completed. Your Intreo Case Officer will
need to see it when they talk to you during your placement.

This Personal Learning Journal (PLJ) is different in its use and

value. This document brings you through your journal and how
to complete it, some useful resources and includes guidance on
how to get the best out of using it.
A digital version of this Personal Learning Journal, with active
links to schemes and supports, is available for preview or
download from www.gov.ie/wpep

4
Using your Personal Learning Journal

This Personal Learning Journal is part of your toolbox to help you

get the best out of your placement. It can help you to record your
activities and thoughts so that you can reflect on them and dive
a bit deeper into your own progress, development and learning.
It is your own Journal to keep as a personal record of your
personal experience and what you are learning. It will help you to
remember your activities and learning for when you are updating
your CV and preparing for interviews in terms of examples of
things that your learned and new skills that you developed in the
workplace.

The Journal is your property. How and when you complete it is

for you to decide. However, research shows that using a journal
regularly will help you to work through your thoughts at work and
help you to manage your placement. The main uses are to:

• Keep useful contact information in the one place about your

placement, your Host and your Intreo Case Officer

• Set out for yourself what you want to achieve during the
placement

• Keep track of your training plans and training achieved; record

what you thought about it at the time and maybe also consider
why you thought it

• Keep a record of any of the WPEP webinars or recruitment

events you attended, in person or virtually, and reflect on what
you heard and learned

5
 • Reflect on your experiences, good and bad and what you’ve
learned from them

• Use these reflections to help you consider and plan your

next career move; this may include taking on further training or
education

• Help you remember examples of challenges that you overcame

and successes you had during the work experience

• Track your progress throughout the placement

• Help you in making a new CV or to prepare for an interview

Benefits of Journaling

Too often we forget about the things we have done well and
focus on what hasn’t been so successful. Keeping track of your
achievements and progress can help you to plan and achieve
your career goals. We know that reflecting on past experiences
can help us to learn from them.

It is recommended that you should update your Journal at least

once a week so that it can help you identify your strengths and
skills and identify the activities that bring you the greatest sense
of energy and reward. Reflecting on these experiences can help
you to feel more engaged and so also more productive and
successful in the workplace.

6
 Identify your strengths
• On Work: Draws out an understanding of
work that stimulates or challenges you

• On Work Relationships: Identify situations

where you felt you contributed as part of a
Focus team and why

• On Self: Check-in on yourself and note any

feelings of anxiety so that it helps you to
move through them and become stronger

Manage your performance

• Goals: Helps toward managing your work
goals and how you spend your day

• Improve: Identify the areas for improvement

Plan and track your weekly progress

• Energise: Making a plan helps to energise

your self and maintain your motivation

Look back and learn

• Track the progress you have made over the
work experience period

• Gain an insight to your interests and work

preferences
Reflect • See trends in your own responses so you
can understand them

• Acknowledge and deal with any feelings

of stress or anxiety to help you work through
them or seek assistance

7
 How does this work with my Personal Learning
Plan?

As part of your placement you will be planning 60 hours of

training during your six-month placement.

Of these 60 hours, 20 hours should be accredited, or sector

recognised training and the remaining 40 may be general
training. It may sound like a lot but it works out at about 2-2.5
hours per week over the placement or you can do it in full days
or longer periods in agreement with your Host.

All this training should be recorded on your Personal Learning

Plan. This will be held by your Host and a copy is included at
page 112 of this Journal for your own reference.

What supports are in place to help me achieve my

learning goals?

The Department of Social Protection (DSP) provides a range of

supports to help you find the information you need on training
opportunities that are available to you:

• Training by Sector is an information resource on its

JobsIreland.ie website specifically designed to help you and
your Host identify training options that might suit your
placement. It provides a list of training and development
opportunities across many sectors of employment which can
help you in your upskilling and development.

• https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/employment-and-training/
provides a dedicated hub of resources available to you for
jobseeking, education, training and becoming self-employed.
8
• The Department will also be inviting you to additional online
supports through regular webinars and recruitment events to
support your learning, development and jobseeking goals.

You will also be assigned a Mentor by your Host who will

support and guide you on your training journey during your
placement. You will continue to meet with your Intreo Case
Officer throughout your placement who will also provide on-going
support to you.

WPEP Work Experience Accredited Module

In addition to the supports shown above, you have the option of

taking an accredited work experience module. Accredited training
is training that leads to a formal qualification.

Work Experience is a valuable part of the learning experience

and so we have worked with the Education and Training Boards
across Ireland to develop a specific WPEP Accredited Work
Experience Module for participants. The purpose of the Work
Experience Module is to equip you with the relevant knowledge,
skill and competence to work in a range of organisations,
carrying out work-related tasks autonomously and/or in a
supervisory capacity. The accredited module is delivered through
virtual/online classrooms, so you don’t have to attend in person.
The courses start regularly so you can start it when it suits you
and your Host. Your Host will need to agree to it as they have to
register also and report on your progress.

Under this accredited training module, participants complete 20

to 30 hours of WPEP work experience with your registered Host.
Participants must pass the work experience section and the
virtual class work of the Work Experience module in order to gain
the final award.
9
 This Accreditation is available at Levels 3, 4 and 5 of the National
Framework for Qualifications (NFQ) so there should be a course
suitable to your needs.

For more information on this WPEP Work Experience Module

please refer to gov.ie - Operational Guidelines: Work Placement
Experience Programme (www.gov.ie) or contact your Case
Officer in your local Intreo Centre.

Completing your Personal Learning Journal

This Journal is broken down into eight Parts as follows:

Part 1 Setting your Personal Learning Goals

Part 2 Focus on your Skills

Part 3 Skills Development Plan

Part 4 Plan to achieve your goals

Part 5 Weekly Journal: Weeks 1-12

Part 6 Mid-Way Review: Week 13

Part 7 Weekly Journal: Weeks 14-25

Part 8 Post Placement Reflection & Review

10
• Start by recording the useful contact information on pages 14
and 15. This will be a handy reference point for you if you need
to contact your Host or your Case Officer.

• Add in own personal learner goals pages 20.

• Complete your Personal Skills Audit on pages 25-31.

• On page 34 you should complete your Skills Development

Plan.

• Identify your objectives that will help lead to your goals on

pages 39-41.

• Complete the Weekly Journal Entries on pages 48-71 and 80-

103.

• Complete the Week 13 Mid-Way Review on pages 74-78.

• Complete the Post Placement Reflection and Review on pages

106-110.

• You have completed the Personal Learning Plan with your

Host but you may like to copy this into your Journal and update
it as required so that you have it all the information recorded
for yourself in the same place. That information can be
recorded at page 112. Remember to record any webinars
or recruitment events you attend so you can look back as a
reminder. You can use the notes section for additional entries.

11
 Instructions for setting your learner goals and
objectives

You have just started on a great opportunity to upskill or reskill.

In order to stay focused on your objectives you should consider
what it is you would like to achieve by the end of your
six-month placement. Setting goals & objectives can help to keep
your motivation high. Setting personal goals is more deliberate
than any desires and intentions; it means you have committed
yourself in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviour towards
achieving your goals. Remember it is important to set yourself
realistic goals & objectives as this will increase the chance of
success. And when we create our own learning goals we own
them.  

Useful Resources

Below you will find details of additional supports and information

available to you so you can achieve your goals and develop your
skills.

Jobseeking Resources

Provides an online recruitment service to both employers and

jobseekers: www.jobsireland.ie

Jobseeker Resources: See how Intreo and JobsIreland.ie can

help you: www.jobsireland.ie/en-US/job-seekers

Tips on Preparing a CV, writing a covering letter, how to prepare

for a job interview: www.jobsireland.ie/en-US/TipsandAdvicePage

12
For information, guidance, recruitment and financial services for
jobs, training and education available across Europe:
gov.ie - EURES Ireland (www.gov.ie) and Home | Europass

You can also follow JobsIreland on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

and Instagram

Training and Education

Information on some of the current Training on offer by Sector:

www.jobsireland.ie/en-US/trainingon –

A one-stop-shop for finding out the education and training

opportunities available to you:
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/f205a-the-right-course/

Employment and Training Options:

gov.ie - Employment and Training (www.gov.ie)

Accenture Training and LinkedIn Learning Offerings

Skills2Succeed Academy https://s2sacademy.ie/register/01dewp

Grow your digital skills

https://www.futurelearn.com/career-advice/grow-your-digital-skills

LinkedIn Learning
https://dspazcms2.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Training/
LinkedIn.pdf

13
 Getting Started
Work Placement Host Details
Your Name

Host Name

Host Address

Start date

End date

Title of position of
work placement

Managers Name

Managers Phone
Number

Managers Email
Address

Days of Work

14
Hours of Work

Mentors Name

Mentors Phone
Number

Mentors Email
Address

Any other important

information (who I
should report to on
my first day / time I
should report at
etc.)

Case Officer Name

Case Officer Email

Case Officer Phone

Number

15
16
Part 1
Setting Your Goals

17
 Part 1 Setting Your Goals

Your WPEP provides an opportunity for you to reskill or up-skill

and to work towards achieving the goal of a new job.

By setting goals for yourself, you have already started on

the road to success. If you set too high a goal, it might seem
unachievable in the short term so it may be better to identify
several short-term goals to progress towards your longer-term
goals. This will also help you to keep track of your progress and
keep up your energy and motivation. By setting goals you can
measure and take pride in the achievement of these goals as you
see yourself progressing.

Think about what you want to learn, what your goals are, how
you plan to achieve these goals and how you plan to increase
your chances of achieving your goals. Think about the role or the
sector you are in or the role that you would like to work in.

You might not be able to achieve everything you need during the
six month placement so make sure you are plan your goals so
that they can lead you down a route and will bring you to where
you want to be.

Spend time thinking about this - don’t rush it. Maybe even say it
out loud to yourself to help to work it through yourself.

Once you have decided what your goals are, write them down.
When you write them down, write them as SMART goals.
SMART goals make it easier to frame your plan.

18
 Well defined, clear,
S and explicit
Specific

Can be tracked with

evidence of progress
M
Measurable

Can be achieved
within the timeframe
A
Attainable

Aligns with your role

and the business needs
R
Relevant

Timebound Achieved
within a specified
T timeframe
Timely

19
 Remember to keep your goals simple and focus on goals that
that you know you can achieve during the six-month placement.
Limit your goals to no more than 2 or 3 so that you can focus on
achieving them during your placement.

My Goal Setting: for you to complete

I plan to get basic training in carpentry so
Examples of that I can improve my chances of getting
Goal Setting an apprenticeship as a joiner before I finish
my placement in six months
Set no more Or
than 2 or 3 Within six months, I plan to get accredited
goals training in digital skills and experience in
using them so I can apply for admin job in
an office.
Goal 1

Goal 2

Goal 3

20
Now consider the skills, education, training and experience
(SETE) needed to achieve those goals.

Skills Your skills are those things that you do well

or need to do well for your job. You can learn
skills through training, or you may have
innate abilities i.e. you have them naturally.
Examples of skills are shown on Pages 25-31.

Education Your education refers to formal, recognised

learning or qualifications. It is generally
achieved through school, further education
or higher education or professional bodies.
Most jobs will have a minimum education
requirement for the role. Education achieved
in one country may be recognised by another
country1

Training Training is a targeted intervention for

employees in which they get to know about
particular skills required for the job or an
activity.

Experience Experience is the knowledge or skills gained

from doing a particular job or activity for a
period.

1 See NFQ (qqi.ie) for more information on the National Qualifications

Frameworks and how they interlink across over 150 countries.
21
22
Part 2
Focus on Your Skills

23
 Part 2 Focus on Your Skills

Think about the skills you have and those that may need to be
developed. During your work placement you will have the chance
to learn and develop several new skills. Many you will already
have. Some you may need to work on. Developing new skills
involves a process of planned self-improvement and this can
help you to reach your personal goals.

Read through the list below. You might think that some are
not directly relevant to you, but most will be in many roles to a
greater or lesser extent.

Remember to be honest with yourself and perhaps even talk to

someone you trust who knows you well for their view to help you
complete this.

Tick the box that you feel best reflects where you are with these
skills and use it to guide you in setting your self-development
goals (page 34).

24
Skills Checklist: for you to complete
Teamwork Strong Skill Unsure Needs
development
Shows respect for
colleagues &
co-workers
Develops and
maintains good
working relationships
with others, sharing
information and
knowledge, as
appropriate
Understands own role
in the team, making
every effort to play
his/her part
Communication Strong Skill Unsure Needs
development
Actively listens to
others and tries to
understand their
perspectives/
requirements/needs
Is respectful,
courteous and
professional,
remaining composed
even in challenging
circumstances

25
 Can be firm when
necessary and
communicate with
confidence and
authority
Communicates
clearly and fluently
when speaking and in
writing
Drive and Strong Skill Unsure Needs
Commitment development
Consistently strives to
perform at a high level
and deliver a quality
service
Is thorough and
conscientious, even if
work is routine
Is enthusiastic and
resilient, persevering
in the face of
challenges and
setbacks
At all times, acts with
integrity

26
Delivery of Results Strong Skill Unsure Needs
development
Takes responsibility
for work and sees it
through to the
appropriate next level
Completes work in a
timely manner
Adapts quickly to new
ways of doing things
Checks all work
thoroughly to ensure it
is completed to a high
standard and learns
from mistakes
Identifies and
appreciates the
urgency and
importance of different
tasks
Self-Development Strong Skill Unsure Needs
development
Develops and
maintains the skills
and expertise required
to perform in the role
effectively
Is committed to
self-development and
continuously seeks
to improve personal
performance

27
 Responsibility Strong Skill Unsure Needs
development
Takes responsibility for
all work activities and
personal actions

Follows through on
commitments and
implements decisions
where agreed

Leadership Strong Skill Unsure Needs

development
Brings a focus and
drive to building and
sustaining high levels
of performance
Leads and maximises
the contribution of the
team as a whole
Considers the
effectiveness of
outcomes in terms
wider than own
immediate area
Clearly defines
objectives/ goals &
delegates effectively,
encouraging
ownership and
responsibility for tasks

28
Time Management Strong Skill Unsure Needs
Skills development
Having the ability
to get things done
efficiently and
effectively
The right things done
at the right time
Decision Making Strong Skill Unsure Needs
development
Effectively deals
with a wide range of
information sources,
investigating all
relevant issues
Identifies and
understands key
issues and trends
Draws accurate
conclusions & makes
balanced and fair
recommendations
backed up with
evidence.
Trustworthiness & Strong Skill Unsure Needs
Ethics development
Ability to build rapport
and relationships
Can be trusted to get
the job done
Is personally honest
and trustworthy

29
 Work with the
customers best
interests at heart
Problem Solving
Ability to deal with
challenging situations

Generates creative
approaches to
addressing problems
and opportunities
Identifies and weighs
options

Makes sound
decisions after
reviewing all relevant
information
Organisational Skills Strong Skill Unsure Needs
development
Ability to let you stay
focussed on different
tasks
Creating and keeping
deadlines

Delegation

Making schedules

30
Accuracy and Strong Skill Unsure Needs
Attention to Detail development

Correctly extracts &

interprets numerical
information,
conducting accurate
numerical calculations

Following standard
operating procedures
and best practice

Detailed record
keeping

Check work to ensure

no errors

31
32
Part 3
Skills Development
Plan

33
 Part 3 Skills Development Plan

Consider your checklist above against the skills that are needed
within the sector or role that you plan to move into. Focus on the
skills that are most relevant to that role or sector where you have
identified that they need development, or you are unsure as to
whether you have them. Identify three skills that you plan to work
on over your placement. You may wish to talk to your supervisor/
manager, mentor or Case Officer to help with them. Write down
the skills that need development and how you plan to achieve
this.

Skill:

How you plan to develop this skill?

Skill:

How you plan to develop this skill?

Skill:

How you plan to develop this skill?

34
Think about the SETEs that are required for the sector or role
you want to move into. What is the gap between where you are
now and where you need to be? This is the space that you need
to work on in order to increase your chances of moving into your
preferred sector or role. Bridging the gap between the SETEs you
have already and where you want to be is the space that you want
to focus on in terms of setting your goals.

Focus on Education

Some jobs will need formal education. Research what the entry
level requirements are for these roles. Even if you are not there
now, there are steppingstones you can take now in order to
get there. You should refer to The Right Course page where
you will find details of free online courses through eCollege.ie,
opportunities to learn new skills or retrain and career guidance
and information. Also talk to you mentor and Case Officer who will
be able to guide you on your education journey.

Focus on Training

You have committed to achieve 60 hours of training over the

six-month placement, 20 of which will be accredited or sector
recognised. You have completed your PLP and already identified
your training and up-skilling needs in order to develop yourself
during your placement. Refer again to our training by sector
resource page to see if there is any other training available that
might help you achieve your goals. You may also be eligible to
avail of the Training Support Grant (TSG) of up to €1000 during
your placement towards the cost of training.

You should also refer to the Accenture Skills2Succeed Academy

and Digital Skills Training provided to the DSP for Jobseekers.
Links to these training assets can be found in your welcome
email.
35
 Focus on Experience

Consider what experience you need to build up through the

placement so that you can achieve your goal. Try to get the best
out of your work experience by extracting the maximum learning
value from what you do. Your mentor and Intreo Case Officer
will review your performance on an ongoing basis. This will give
you an opportunity to provide feedback on progress to date.
This meeting can help you to reflect on your performance and
to develop a picture of how you are building your skills during
your placement. That’s why it’s a good idea to document what
you have been doing in your Journal as you may not remember
everything you have achieved! The Journal can then be used to
compare the skills you have developed against the ones you think
you’ll need. Taking time to reflect on how you have changed and
developed during the placement is an important aspect of learning
in a work environment.

Your future employers will want to see evidence of the skills you
develop, and work experience can help you to demonstrate them.
For example demonstrating that you can work independently or
to a deadline or being able to demonstrate interpersonal skills
are key skills a perspective employer would like to see a potential
employee possess.Think about the work you have done or
projects you have contributed to during your placements. This
is concrete evidence of your work experience and abilities. Note
things you have achieved that you can use in job applications to
demonstrate work-based skills.

36
Part 4
What is my plan to
achieve these goals?

37
 Part 4 What is my plan to achieve these goals?

Think about SETEs we referenced earlier. What Skills, Education,

Training and Experience do you need to achieve your goals?
Remember to think about the resources you have that can help
you; these can be your Host, Mentor, Case Officer, family and
friends. Remember also the online resources that you can use on
www.jobsireland.ie

You now need to work on the stepping stones to get to your goal
and how you can achieve them over the six month placement.
You may not achieve them all but you should continue to work
towards them on an incremental basis.

38
Examples:

My Objectives
Identify the I plan to get basic training in carpentry
objectives that will so that I can improve my chances of
help lead to those getting an apprenticeship as a joiner
goals before I finish my placement in six
months

I plan to complete a health & safety

1 course with a focus on carpentry
equipment.

I plan to complete a manual handling

2 course which will be an advantage to
me when I seek an apprenticeship role.

Identify the Within 6 months, I plan to get

objectives that will accredited training in digital skills and
help lead to those experience in using them so I can
goals apply for admin job in an office

I plan to learn about Microsoft Office

1 during my placement and familiarise
myself with its functions so that I can
be proficient in it when I move into a
permanent office role.

I plan to complete the ECDL course

2 on eCollege.ie which is 13 weeks self-
directed training in order to improve
my digital skills. This will enable me
to improve my day to day skills when
working in an office.

39
 My Objectives

Refer to your goals which you set out on Page 20 of this

Journal. Now, identify the objectives that will help lead to
those goals.

Is there anything that will stop me achieving these goals

and objectives?

40
What am I going to do to address those challenges?

41
42
Part 5
Weekly Journal
Weeks 1-12

43
44
Part 5 Weekly Journal Weeks 1-12

You should complete a journal entry for each week of your

placement. This will allow you to keep track of tasks and activities
you have completed during your placement. It will also help you to
track skills learned, improved or developed each week and it will
allow you to plan ahead for the following week.

Example of Weekly Journal Entry

Week 1 Date of Entry: 15 May 2022

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Example: I logged on and registered on the Accenture
Skills2Succeed Academy and I also researched the ETB training
on MS Office and ECDL.

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO

Education YES / NO

Experience YES / NO

Formal Training YES / NO

45
 Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1 My goal is to develop my digital skills, so I am exploring

what options are available to me.

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2 I learned that I am more advanced than I thought I was in

digital skills but still have some areas I can improve on.

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3 Finding a quiet place to learn/train, there was a lot of

background noise so I couldn’t concentrate properly.
I also found it hard to find suitable training but then my
case officer referred me to jobsireland.ie and I could
easily locate relevant training by sector.

Q4 What went well for me?

A4 I realised that there was a lot of training available to me

which was easily accessible online once I looked in the
right places.

46
Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5 The vast amount of self-directed training available to me.

Also how easy it was to talk to my Case Officer about the
options available to me.

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6 Enquire how I avail of the training support grant for a

private training course I researched that I would like to
start next Month.

Reminder to Self / Notes

Research private training recommended by Host

Plans for next week: To Do

Make application for TSG grant once I have spoken to my Case
Officer

47
 Weekly Personal Reflection and Review Weeks 1-12

Week 1 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

48
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

49
 Week 2 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

50
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

51
 Week 3 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

52
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

53
 Week 4 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

54
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

55
 Week 5 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

56
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

57
 Week 6 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

58
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

59
 Week 7 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

60
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

61
 Week 8 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

62
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

63
 Week 9 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

64
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

65
 Week 10 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

66
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

67
 Week 11 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

68
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

69
 Week 12 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

70
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

71
72
Part 6

Mid-Way Review

73
 Part 6 Week 13, Mid-Way Review

Reflection and Review

Reflection is an important tool to see how far you have come,

what you have achieved, what you have overcome and what
areas you would like to improve upon. You are now half way
through your placement. You should take time to consider how
you are getting on and if you need to speed up your progress in
order to achieve your overall goal.

What types of tasks and activities have you done over the
past three months?

74
What progress am I making towards achieving my goals?

What progress am I making towards achieving my

objectives?

75
 Skills learned, improved or developed upon so far during
my placement

So far, what challenges have I faced?

76
So far, what has gone well for me?

Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor, mentor

or case officer?

77
 Aims for the remaining 13 weeks of the placement; what
you want to learn, what you want to do and what you will do
to achieve this?

What efforts have I made to look at employment, education

or training options so far?

Is there anything I need to do to kickstart my progress?

78
Part 7
Weekly Journal
Weeks 14-25

79
 Part 7 Weekly Journal Weeks 14-25
Week 14 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

80
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

81
 Week 15 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

82
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

83
 Week 16 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

84
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

85
 Week 17 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

86
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

87
 Week 18 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

88
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

89
 Week 19 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

90
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

91
 Week 20 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

92
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

93
 Week 21 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

94
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

95
 Week 22 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

96
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

97
 Week 23 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

98
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

99
 Week 24 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

100
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

101
 Week 25 Date of Entry:

What types of tasks and activities did you do this week:

Skills Development YES / NO

Informal Training YES / NO
Education YES / NO
Experience YES / NO
Formal Training YES / NO

Q1 How did it relate to my personal goals?

A1

Q2 Skills learned, improved or developed upon in

undertaking these tasks/activities

A2

Q3 Where there any challenges for me?

A3

102
Q4 What went well for me?

A4

Q5 Were there any surprises for me?

A5

Q6 Is there anything I need to raise with my supervisor/

mentor / case officer?

A6

Reminder to Self / Notes

Plans for next week: To Do

103
104
Part 8
Post Placement
Reflection and Review

105
 Part 8 Post Placement Reflection and Review

Congratulations!!! You have reached the end of your placement.

You should already have had a conversation with your Intreo
Case Officer and/or your mentor about planning your next steps
to consider your options for your future employment, education
and training. Think about what your plans are for progressing from
here.

It’s also time to review your Journal to reflect on what you have
achieved over the past 26 weeks of your work placement and
to consider any future plans you have to develop your personal
learning plan further. Use this opportunity to update your CV
based on all the training you have undertaken during your
placement.

If you have no immediate plans your Case Officer will be in touch

to help you now you have completed your work placement.

Well done and the best of luck!

106
What have I learned (knowledge/skills/expertise) during my
placement that I found valuable?

You may want to refer to the Skills & Competencies Section on

pages 25-31 of your journal.

What are my greatest strengths that I have developed

during the work placement, please elaborate.

You may want to refer to the Skills & Competencies Section on

pages 25-31 of your journal.

107
 Things that surprised me during my work placement.

Challenges encountered during my work placement and

how I dealt with them. What did I learn from that?

108
Things that I was happy with during my work placement.

Things I would have done differently during my work

placement.

109
 Future plans to develop my personal learning

What efforts have I made to look at employment, education

or training options?

110
Appendix 1
Personal Learning
Plan

111
 Appendix 1: Personal Learning Plan

This is a duplicate of the PLP which you will have already agreed
with your Host. You can update the records below as your PLP is
progressing, so that you have your own copy with all the details of
the training achieved during the placement. You can use the notes
section which follows if you require more space.

Skill Key skill set Training Training Accredited/ Training

Number or Training start date finish date Sector Hours
Title DD/MM/YY DD/MM/YY recognised
or General
Example Example: 23/01/21 23/01/21 Accredited 6 hours
Excel Training
E.g. Excel
Intermediate
Course

Example Example: 30/05/21 30/01/21 General 2 hours

Work Related
Training (e.g.
Induction,
H&S, Customer
Service,
Quality training
etc.)

112
Skill Key skill set Training Training Accredited/ Training
Number or Training start date finish date Sector Hours
Title DD/MM/YY DD/MM/YY recognised
or General

113
 Notes

114
Disclaimer: completion of the Journal is self-directed by the Participant and is
the property of the Participant. Any information collected and documented is
owned by the Participant and not the Department of Social Protection.
115
 Notes

116
Disclaimer: completion of the Journal is self-directed by the Participant and is
the property of the Participant. Any information collected and documented is
owned by the Participant and not the Department of Social Protection.
117
 Notes

118
Disclaimer: completion of the Journal is self-directed by the Participant and is
the property of the Participant. Any information collected and documented is
owned by the Participant and not the Department of Social Protection.
119
 Notes

120
Disclaimer: completion of the Journal is self-directed by the Participant and is
the property of the Participant. Any information collected and documented is
owned by the Participant and not the Department of Social Protection.
121
 Notes

122
Disclaimer: completion of the Journal is self-directed by the Participant and is
the property of the Participant. Any information collected and documented is
owned by the Participant and not the Department of Social Protection.
123
For more information
Visit: www.gov.ie/wpep
Email: wpep@welfare.ie
Telephone: 0818 111 112

Brought to you by
the Department of Social Protection