The Skill Audit

Teacher Facilitation Guide

Duration: 60-90 Minutes

Grade Level: 12th Grade

Subject: Financial Literacy

Lesson Goal

Students will bridge the gap between "having a hobby" and "monetizing a skill." By the end of this session, students will have a validated list of 2-3 side hustle concepts based on their personal SWOT analysis and current market demand.

Key Vocabulary

• Gig Economy
• SWOT Analysis
• Market Niche
• Monetization
• Opportunity Recognition
• Value Proposition

Materials Needed

Side Hustle Skills Audit Worksheet
3 Random Household Items (for Hook)
Laptops/Devices for research

Instructional Flow

HOOK

10 MINS

The $50 Challenge

Present the class with three random items (e.g., an old ladder, a bag of zip ties, and a stack of newspapers). Challenges students in small groups to generate 5 distinct ways to earn exactly $50 by the weekend using these items.

Pro Tip: Look for creative service-based ideas (e.g., "renting the ladder," "using newspapers for professional window cleaning prep").

DIRECT

15 MINS

Introduction to the Gig Economy

Explain that a side hustle isn't just a part-time job; it's a micro-business where they are the owner. Introduce the SWOT Analysis framework specifically through the lens of individual skills vs. market needs.

WORKSHOP

45 MINS

The Skills Audit & Market Research

Students complete the Side Hustle Skills Audit worksheet. Part 1 is individual reflection (SWOT). Part 2 requires them to use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, TaskRabbit, or local Facebook Marketplace data to see what people are actually paying for those skills.

Facilitation Prompts

Pushing Beyond Hobbies:

"You like playing video games. Is that a skill you can monetize, or is the skill actually video editing, community management, or hardware repair?"

Identifying Barriers:

"If you want to offer car detailing, do you have a reliable water source and transport for your gear? A 'Strength' is only a strength if you have the resources to use it."

Market Research Guide

Guide students to look for the following three metrics during their research phase:

Metric	What it tells them
Saturation	How many other people are offering the same service? (High saturation = price competition)
Price Ceiling	What is the absolute maximum someone is willing to pay for this?
Barrier to Entry	Do I need a special license, expensive equipment, or 5+ years of experience to start?

Checking for Understanding

By the end of the lesson, walk around and ask 3-5 students:

"What is one 'Weakness' in your SWOT that you might need to hire someone else for or automate?"

"How did your market research change your initial pricing idea?"

The Skill Audit

Skill Audit Teacher Guide

Skill Audit Worksheet

Skill Audit Slides