Vocational qualifications are either work-related qualifications designed to enable students to gain the skills required to perform a particular job , or qualifications that may be taken as part of a wider study programme or an apprenticeship.
Schools and colleges may offer qualifications that are not included in the DfE performance tables, if approved for teaching to 16-19 year olds by the Secretary of State for Education in England under Section 96, where this is in the best interests of individual students.
This qualification provides an introduction to the active leisure and learning industry, covering the sector as a whole, employment rights and responsibilities, and understanding the employing organisation.
This qualification is a mandatory component of the following advanced apprenticeships offered in the Active Leisure footprint:
- Leisure Management
- Exercise and Fitness
- Coaching
- Sports Development
- Spectator Safety
- Supporting Teaching and Learning in Physical Education and School Sport
This qualification is awarded on a Pass/Fail basis. All three mandatory units must be passed for a learner to be awarded the qualification.
This qualification is internally assessed in its entirety.
Students are provided with pre-standardised assessment tools and templates, centres are provided with assessment guidance in order to assess that students work effectively. These tools and templates have been developed to ensure full coverage of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
Internal quality assurance is required for all centres, and external quality assurance is conducted at regular intervals by subject-specific external quality assurers deployed by 1st4sport Qualifications.
There are a number of key considerations for HEPs when reviewing vocational qualifications that are not listed on the DfE 16-19 performance tables for England:
- Some of these qualifications are occupational, and may not be designed specifically for progression to HE.
- Applicants holding these qualifications may be school or college leavers, however, some may be more mature students who are likely to have other relevant experience alongside these qualifications.
- These qualifications may have been taken as part of a wider study programme or an apprenticeship.
- If they are presented for admission to HE it is likely to be in conjunction with other qualifications.
In respect of this qualification:
- It is delivered as part of an advanced apprenticeship in the Active Leisure and Learning sector.
- It is a small qualification of 61 GLH. If it is presented for admission to HE it is likely to be in conjunction with other qualifications, normally taken within an apprenticeship structure.
- The qualification raises the awareness of employment and the rights and responsibilities of both the employer and the employee. It provides a good understanding of employment issues, preparing the learner for the world of work.
- This qualification has been available for a number of years, and applications can be expected from 2017.