What is the purpose of this qualification?
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 office professionals sector 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 office professionals 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?
This qualification provides a wide range of introductory skills, as well as core knowledge, relevant to office professionals, alongside generic employability skills which are needed both in the office professionals sector and across other sectors. Mandatory units include:
• Working in Business and Administration
• Effective Communication in the Workplace
Optional units include knowledge and skills relevant to different job roles in the sector (such as handling mail, databases, career progression).
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 office professionals such as kitchen administrative assistant, secretary, audio transcriber.
How will this qualification support the learner’s independence?
Learners can progress to a Level 2 certificate or diploma in Office Professionals, including Gateway Qualifications’ Level 2 Certificate and Diploma in Skills for Office Professionals, as well as Levels 2 Business Administration or Accounting qualifications.
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 office professionals sector 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 office professionals 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.
