What is the purpose of this qualification?
This qualification provides a wide range of introductory skills, as well as core knowledge, relevant to business and retail, alongside generic employability skills which are needed both in the business and/or retail sector(s) and across other sectors. The qualification is of specific relevance to:
• Young people interested in a career in the business and/or retail sector(s) who intend to access level 2 qualifications or a level 2 apprenticeship but need a fairly extensive learning programme at level 1 before they will be ready to access level 2.
• 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 fairly extensive grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills over an extended period before applying for work.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
Mandatory units include:
• Working in Business and Retail
• Communication Skills for Work
Optional units include knowledge and skills relevant to different job roles in the business and/or retail sector(s) (such as telephone calls, ICT and self-employment) alongside generic employability skills (such as time-management and solving work-related problems).
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate and Diploma. Learners should take the Certificate if they need an extended introduction to the sector including the opportunity to build up a range of skills and knowledge, explore a number of potential job roles and career pathways in the sector, and gain a set of more generic workplace skills. The Diploma will be suitable for learners who would benefit from an extended period of time working at level 1, up to 2 years, before progressing to employment or to a level 2 qualification or apprenticeship.
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification could lead to an entry-level role in business and administration such as administrative assistant, customer service agent, clerk.
What are the progression options?
Learners can progress to a Level 2 certificate or diploma in Business, including Gateway Qualifications’ Level 2 Certificate and Diploma in Business. Other progression routes include Level 2 qualifications in Office Administration, Customer Service, Medical Administration and Contact Centre Operations.
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.
Learners can progress to a Level 2 certificate or diploma in Business, including Gateway Qualifications’ Level 2 Certificate and Diploma in Business. Other progression routes include Level 2 qualifications in Office Administration, Customer Service, Medical Administration and Contact Centre Operations.
