10 Aug 2020
Key Facts
Qualification purpose
Prepare for further learning or training and/or develop knowledge and/or skills in a subject area
Qualification Grading Type
Pass
Assessment Methods
Why choose this qualification?
These qualifications are intended to provide learners with a broad introduction to the business and administration sector, equipping learners with underpinning knowledge and skills specific to the sector alongside a range of transferable employability skills. They are designed to support progression to further learning and ultimately to work in business and administration or other related sectors.
The Skills for Business and Administration qualifications form part of our Suite of Skills qualifications that cover a number of sectors and are available at Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2. The employability skills units are common across the suite, enabling easy transfer of credits between qualifications and supporting opportunities for cross-faculty working.
The qualifications have been developed with the support of a number of further education colleges, training providers and adult and community learning providers. They have been designed to be consistent with the principles for study programmes for 16-19 year olds but are also relevant, particularly in the case of the smaller qualifications, for adults including the unemployed. These qualifications are also suitable for pre 16 learners.
Changes to our “Skills for…” qualifications
The recent review of our Vocational qualifications has resulted in changes to qualifications in the Business and Administration sector that will come in to effect as of the 1st August 2020. Please refer to the new Skills for Business and Administration qualification specification or unit spreadsheet for further details.
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete the two mandatory units from the Mandatory Group (M), totalling 6 credits. In addition, they must complete a minimum of 10 credits from Group O1 (Optional - Business and Administration) and 9 further credits from either Group O1 or Group O2 (Optional - Employability Skills, English and Maths) At least 15 credits must be at level 1 or above of which at least 4 must be from group O1. Learners cannot include more than one unit with the same or similar title.
Units
A minimum of 6 credits must be completed from this group.
Communication skills for work
Working in Business and Administration
A minimum of 10 credits must be completed from this Group. At least 4 credits must be at level 1 or above.
Business Organisation Structures
Conduct at Work
Creating Business Documents
Customer Service Skills
Customer service skills
Dealing with Queries and Requests
Digital Skills for Work
Exploring Entrepreneurship
Exploring and Presenting Enterprise Ideas
Handling Mail
Introduction to Self-Employment
Making and Receiving Calls
Negotiation Skills
Personal Budgeting and Managing Money
Supporting Business Meetings
Supporting Sustainability in an Office Environment
Understanding Business Organisations
Understanding social media for business
Using social media for business
Welcoming Visitors
Working as an Administrator
Working in an Office
A maximum of 9 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
A maximum of 9 credits may be completed from this group.
Applying for a Job
Career Planning
Health and Safety in the Workplace
Interview Skills
Making the Most of Work Placement
Numeracy Skills for Work
Searching for a Job
Self-Management Skills for Work
Setting and Meeting Work-Related Targets
Skills for Creative Thinkers
Skills for Effective Participants
Skills for Independent Enquirers
Skills for Reflective Learners
Solving Work-Related Problems
Time Management
Working Safely
Working in a Team
Working with Colleagues
A maximum of 9 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Engage in Discussion
Engage in Discussion
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Listen and Respond
Listen and Respond
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Read for Information
Read for Information
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Read for Purpose and Meaning
Read for Purpose and Meaning
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Speak to Communicate
Speak to Communicate
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Write Accurately
Write with Accuracy
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Write to Communicate
Write to Communicate
A maximum of 9 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Making Calculations
Making Calculations
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Money, Time and Temperature
Money, Time and Temperature
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Numbers, Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Using Whole Numbers, Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Numerical Relationships, Algebra and Ratios
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using and Communicating Data
Using and Communicating Data
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using Probability
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using Size, Shape and Measures
Using Size, Shape and Space
What is the purpose of this qualification?
This qualification provides a range of introductory skills, as well as core knowledge, relevant to business and administration, alongside generic employability skills which are needed both in the business and administration sector and across other sectors. Mandatory units include:
• Working in Business and Administration
• Communication Skills for Work
Optional units include knowledge and skills relevant to different job roles in the sector (such as telephone calls, ICT and self-employment) alongside generic employability skills (such as time-management and solving work-related problems).
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification could lead to an entry-level role in business and administration such as administrative assistant, customer service agent, clerk.
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
Learners can progress to a Level 2 certificate or diploma in Business and Administration, including Gateway Qualifications’ Level 2 Certificate and Diploma in Skills for Business and Administration or Office Professionals. Other progression routes include Level 2 qualifications in Office Administration, Customer Service, Medical Administration and Contact Centre Operations.
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate and Diploma. Learners should take the Certificate if they need a broad introduction to the sector, as well as more generic workplace skills, before progressing to employment (with further training where possible), to a level 2 Apprenticeship or to a Level 2 qualification, as illustrated in the target learner profiles provided above.
Progression & Entry Requirements
Learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. It is available to learners of any age, however it is anticipated that it will be of specific relevance to: • Young people interested in a career in the business and administration sector who intend, but are not yet ready, to access level 2 qualifications or a level 2 apprenticeship • Young people and adults, including those who have had a significant break from or disjointed experience of education, who wish to work in the business and administration sector but need a grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills, usually over a one year period, before applying for work/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.
Special Considerations and Reasonable Adjustment Forms
- Indicative content is provided for units within this qualification. This can be found via the Structure and Unit Details tab, or recognised Centres can login to Prism.
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Related Qualifications
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Diploma in Skills for Business and Administration
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Certificate in Skills for Business and Administration (Entry 3)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate In Preparing for Further Study in Business
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Business and Administration