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Using qualifications in skills for working life


		11-16 schools

		6th form schools

		Colleges

These qualifications are available from three awarding bodies Edexcel, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board (LCCIEB) and the National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC). They are at entry level and aim to develop the skills that young people need to cope with working life. Each one is unitised, with some generic units, for example 'Communicate effectively', 'Work with others', 'Act safely in the workplace', and with some units relating to a specific vocational sector, for example agriculture, arts, business administration, care and construction. The range is different in each awarding body specification and a wide range is available. The qualifications are approved for pre-16 use.

They are often used where schools and colleges in partnership organise a work-based or vocational curriculum for students working at this level. The generic units can be completed in either school or college, while colleges can use the vocational units to provide a structure for vocational taster courses. They can be used in year 10 and/or year 11, as a one- or two-year programme. Progression is to other vocational qualifications at level 1 or to NVQ level 1. Students may progress to NVQ during year 11, in areas where there are approved level 1 NVQs.

Also see

> Work-related learning
> NVQs

Case studies

> Using qualifications