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.
These qualifications provide students with a structured and challenging individualised learning programme that supports their development and progression in line with their future career plans.
They are the substantial qualification component of the study programme and provide students with an in-depth understanding of the principles of the uniformed services sector, and to allow them to explore the various avenues of work within it. They also allow students to gain transferable skills that can be applied to the workplace or further study.
These qualifications:
- focus on the study of the uniformed services in the public services sector
- offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge
- provide opportunities to acquire a number of practical and technical work-related skills
The objectives of these qualifications are to:
- allow students to progress to employment or further study, and towards the entry qualifications and requirements of a specific uniformed service
- provide informed and prepared potential recruits
These qualifications aim to provide students with:
- an understanding of the uniformed public services sector
- the opportunity to investigate career opportunities in the uniformed services
- the ability to prepare for a recruitment interview
- an understanding of the personal commitment and fitness requirements needed to be employed in a uniformed service role
- an understanding of the external organisations that impact on and influence the work of the uniformed services
- an understanding of how uniformed services respond in emergency situations
- the opportunity to understand and develop the skills and qualities needed to work in a range of uniformed services, e.g. leadership skills, coaching skills, conflict management, personal protection, teamwork, communication, navigation, and drill
The final grade for the qualifications is based on a structure of Not Yet Achieved, Pass, Merit, Distinction, and Distinction*.
Internally assessed and externally quality assured via a portfolio of evidence.
View the qualification specifications:
NCFE Level 3 Introductory Certificate for Entry to the Uniformed Services
NCFE Level 3 Certificate for Entry to the Uniformed Services
NCFE Level 3 Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services (540)
NCFE Level 3 Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services (720)
NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services