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.
The NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Preparing to Work in Renewable Energy Engineering provides students with a structured and challenging individualised learning programme that supports their development and progression in line with their future career plans.
It is the substantial qualification component of the study programme and aims to enable students to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding required to work in the renewable energy industry or to undertake further learning.
It develops the students’ knowledge and understanding across a range of practices. It enables the student to further develop essential knowledge in areas such as mechanical, electrical and electronic principles, energy efficiency, wind, solar, wave and tidal energy generation.
Students will develop generic, transferable skills valued by employers, such as effective teamwork, communication, planning and health and safety principles.
They will also research job opportunities and assess their strengths in areas such as positive attitude, punctuality and self-motivation.
In addition, the requirement to complete optional units means that students are able to develop more specialist knowledge about different aspects of renewable energy. For those who wish to study at a higher level, the qualification will enable them to develop higher level learning skills such as independent working, research, self-reflection and collaborative learning.
The qualification is graded Pass, Merit, Distinction and Distinction*.
The unit grades are aggregated to form the final overall qualification grade. A Distinction* grade will be awarded to students who have consistently achieved a Distinction grade in every unit.
Internally assessed and externally quality assured portfolio of evidence.
Students are set assignments. These may be in the form of briefs, scenarios, problem solving exercises and research investigations. They are contextualised using realistic scenarios. The assessment may require students to write a report, write a business proposal, deliver a presentation, or make conclusions based on extensive research into a practical investigation.
All assessment is criterion-referenced, based on the achievement of specified learning outcomes. Each unit within a qualification has specified assessment guidance.
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.
Students may combine the Level 3 Diploma in Preparing to Work in Renewable Energy Engineering with other qualifications e.g. A levels or other vocational qualifications.
View the qualification specification: NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Preparing to Work in Renewable Energy Engineering (601/3194/9)