LEGACY: Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Certificate In Preparation for Employment (Entry 3)

Rules of Combination

Learners must complete 13 credits of which a minimum of 8 credits must be at E3. Learners may include no more than 2 units from Group O2 Working in a Sector. Learners cannot include more than one unit with the same or similar title. For full details see list of barred units.

Units

What is the purpose of this qualification?

This qualification is particularly suitable for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities or with Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND) who need a structured programme of learning to support their development of employability skills in preparation for employment. However, it is also relevant for learners working at Entry 3 for a number of other reasons, such as missed schooling or long-term unemployment, for whom a lack of employability skills is acting as a barrier to gaining employment.

What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?

This qualification includes a broad range of skills which will support learners to develop the generic employability skills needed in most jobs, including areas such as working with customers, managing their time, problem-solving and getting on with colleagues. Learners can also opt to learn about job opportunities within a chosen sector. There are no mandatory units, enabling learners and providers to work together to select units appropriate to the individual’s needs, interests and aspirations for employment.

How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?

There is a Gateway Qualifications Award, Certificate and Extended Certificate in Preparation for Employment. The Certificate is designed to meet the needs of learners who need a course which has employability skills as one of (or the sole) primary focus. For those on 16-19/25 study programmes, the size of the Certificate allows considerable space within the programme for the inclusion of other elements, such as English and Maths, vocational learning, personal and social development and work experience. It can provide a useful structure for the ‘work preparation training’ component of a traineeship where initial assessment has identified the need for a trainee to focus on employability skills, particularly where the lack of these is seen as a key barrier to gaining work.

Which sector does this qualification support?

This qualification supports progression to entry-level job roles across sectors, including to supported employment.

What are the progression options?

Learners can progress from this qualification to Level 1 learning in the area of employability skills, including, for example, the Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Certificate in Employabilty Skills or to sector-specific qualifications such as Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Certificate in Skills for Retail.

Progression & Entry Requirements

Funding information

Learning Aims Search

The Hub provides a Learning Aims Search which you can use to check the funding status of any qualification or unit.

View this qualification on the ESFA’s Hub website

We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.

This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.

The following support materials will help you to deliver this qualification.

Internal Quality Assurance

Special Considerations and Reasonable Adjustment Forms

Expert View: Entry Level Webinar

Meeting Learners’ Needs at Entry Level

Suggested Resources for SEND