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From training to work · Reviewed September 9, 2026

Build a practical trade portfolio

A small set of well-explained work samples can show how you think, follow instructions and check a result. Quality and permission matter more than volume.

Choose evidence relevant to the role

A manufacturing student might document a measured practice piece; an IT learner could show a troubleshooting log; a culinary student could explain a costed classroom recipe. Use only your own work and be clear when it was a training exercise.

Explain the task and constraints

For each sample, state the goal, relevant instructions, tools and your role. Explain what you checked, what went wrong and what you changed. Include an outcome you can substantiate rather than invented performance claims.

Protect people and workplace information

Do not publish patient records, customer identifiers, passwords, confidential drawings or employer-owned material without permission. Use approved classroom examples or redact and replace details in a clearly labeled demonstration.

Show learning and supervision honestly

Name the skill demonstrated and explain which parts were supervised. A school project is not an occupational authorization or proof of independent competence for regulated work.

Keep the portfolio easy to use

Choose three to five relevant examples, give each a clear title and keep image files small. Provide readable descriptions and a simple PDF or web link when the employer accepts it.

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