Identify and explain four characteristics the partners should include in the person (job) specification when recruiting the new employees.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [8] Identify and explain four characteristics the partners should include in the person (job) specification when recruiting the new employees.
2. [4 × 1] Application - award one mark for each suitable characteristic for this business
3. [4 × 1] Analysis - award one mark for a relevant explanation of each characteristic
4. Award one mark for each characteristic (maximum of four), such as:
5. ∞ Experience of gardening
6. ∞ Polite
7. ∞ Punctual
8. ∞ Honest/trustworthy
9. ∞ Qualifications in gardening
10. ∞ Reliable
11. ∞ Clean/neat appearance
12. ∞ Physically fit
13. ∞ Good communicator
14. ∞ Hard working.
15. There may be other possible answers
16. Award an additional mark for each explanation in context
17. Indicative response: The applicants will need to have experience of gardening (1) this is to ensure they can do the job that GS requires of them and maintains a high quality service to customers. (1)
18. [12] Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the three sites the brothers are considering buying. Recommend which site is the best one for GS to buy. Justify your answer. Relevant points might include:
19. Advantages: Site X: Large site; Lowest cost; Fertile land
20. Advantages: Site Y: Near to city at lower cost; Nearer to hotels than site X; Large glasshouses already there - less cost and quicker to get started trading from the site
21. Advantages: Site Z: Very close to market/customers; Close to existing site; Shop and car park on site attracting customers
22. Disadvantages: Site X: Far away from market – 30 miles - high travel costs; Buildings need to be built – additional cost
23. Disadvantages: Site Y: Repair costs of $4000 has to be paid; Still have to travel to customers
24. Disadvantages: Site Z: Highest cost - $30 000; Smallest area and little chance of expansion in the future
25. Knowledge/Analysis/Evaluation – award up to 10 marks using the levels-based mark scheme below.
26. Level 3: At least 2 x Level 2 + 9-10 marks for well justified recommendation as to best site to choose and why not the other sites. 7-8 marks for some limited judgement shown in recommendation as to best site to choose.
27. Level 2: 4-6 marks Explanation of advantages and/or disadvantages of each site.
28. Level 1: 1-3 marks Statement of advantages and/or disadvantages of each site.
29. Level 1 - 1 mark for each L1 statement (max of 3 marks) e.g. Site Z is the most expensive of the three sites.
30. Level 2 – 1 × L2 explanation can gain 4 marks and a further mark can be awarded for each additional L2 explanation (max 6 marks) e.g. Site Z is the most expensive of the three sites and this will make it more difficult to finance the purchase of the land. Also there is no room to expand and so GS may have to move again if it wants further expansion in the future. However, it is near to customers and this will reduce cost and time for the gardeners getting to and from the hotels. (4 marks for one L2 answer plus one application mark for referring to hotels, gardeners, the land being most expensive)
31. Level 3 - For L3 to be awarded there needs to be at least two L2 marks awarded and then a recommendation which justifies the best site to choose.
32. Award up to 2 additional marks for relevant application.
33. Possible application marks: Partnership; set up by 2 brothers; information about the three sites found in the case study.
34. There may be other examples in context that have not been included here.