What is the purpose of this qualification?
This qualification is designed to confirm occuapational competence for learners working within or seeking employment in the IT sector, in particular for those working with IT systems and software.
This qualification forms part of the ITQ Framework . This qualification can support learners with a spiky profile whereby learners can achieve a proportion of the learning at a higher/lower or lower level than that of the qualification.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification requires learners to complete a mandatory unit in Improving Productivity Using IT as well as additional optional units from the following areas:
• Audio software
• Bespoke software
• Collaborative Technologies
• Computer basics
• Computerised Accounting
• Data management software
• Database software
• Design and Imagining software
• Design software
• Desktop publishing software
• Digital lifestyle
• Drawing and planning software
• Email
• Imaging software
• Improving productivity using IT
• Internet and World Wide Web
• IT communication fundamentals
• IT software fundamentals
• IT system performance
• Mobile IT devices
• Multimedia software
• Personal information management software
• Presentations software
• Productivity programmes
• Project management software
• Specialist software
• Spreadsheet software
• Video software
• Website software
• Word processing software
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
The Level 2 Diploma in IT User Skills (ITQ) is most suitable for learners who require a significant programme of learning to develop their general IT skills that can be applied in learning or employment or for those require a period of time to develop a specific / specialist aspect of their IT skills to confirm occupational competence in their job role, eg an IT Support Technician.
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification provides formal recognition of a learner’s IT Skills that can be applied in current or future employment for a variety of roles that require a considerable amount of time spent applying general IT skills in their day-to-day work or for those who require specialist IT skills. Learners are looking to be in a job role that might require the following:
• Providing support and assistance to colleagues to make effective use of available IT systems and software.
• Developing, testing and implementing solutions to improve workplace productivity through the use of IT using the advanced features of IT Application Software in the creation and amendment of many types of formatted information, including documents, diagrams, spreadsheets and presentations.
• Maintaining simple websites, using the internet to find and exchange information.
• Using social media to disseminate information.
This could be in a number of industry sectors such as Office/Business Administration; Ac
Progression & entry requirements
It is likely that learners at this level will have level 1 skills and experience; may require considerable support at times, but may also have some capability to learn and develop skills with some autonomy.
The approved age range for these qualifications is: pre 16; 16-18 and 19+.
Learners can progress in two ways:
• increasing the range of skills they have by increasing the size of their qualification (Award → Certificate → Diploma)
• developing skills at a higher level by moving up the level of qualification from Level 2 to Level 3