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 at least one unit from the Mandatory Group (M), totalling a minimum of 3 credits and 3 further credits from either Group M or Group O1 (Optional Units).
Units
Learners must achieve at least 3 credits from this group.
Communication Skills for Work
Understanding Business Organisations
Learners may complete up to 3 credits from this group.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Business Documentation
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Understanding Business Meeting Techniques
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Budgeting and Managing Money
Understanding Finance in a Business Context
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Promoting Products and Services
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
The Marketing Environment
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
The Role of an Administrator
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Working in Business Teams
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Working with Customers
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Working with Office Equipment and Systems
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Working with People in Organisations
What is the purpose of this qualification?
This qualification provides an introductory set of knowledge and skills, relevant to business and administration. The qualification is of specific relevance to:
• unemployed adults requiring a skill set in a specific vocational area in order to demonstrate their preparedness for employment in a hospitality or catering setting
• young people on trainee ships who are seeking a short, focused qualification in the sector in which they wish to work/gain an apprenticeship, as part of the work preparation training element of a traineeship
• learners of any age who have been disengaged with learning and need a short introduction at Level 2 before progressing straight to a larger certificate or diploma at level 3
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
Learners must complete one of two mandatory units:
• Understanding Business Organisations
• Communication Skills for Work
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate, Extended Certificate and Diploma. Learners should take the Award if they need only a small amount of focused learning in business and administration before progressing to an apprenticeship, employment (with further training where possible) or to a Level 3 qualification, as illustrated in the target learner profiles provided above.
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.
How will this qualification support the learner’s independence?
Learners can progress to a bigger qualification at level 2 or directly to a Level 3 certificate or diploma in Business and Administration or to a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Business and Administration in any of the available pathways.
Progression & Entry Requirements
Learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification although they will benefit from having English and Maths skills at level 1. It is available to learners aged 16+,.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.
Offer our Qualifications
If you would like to teach our qualifications to your learners, submit an enquiry to discuss the best options.
Related Qualifications
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award in Skills for Business and Administration (Entry 3)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Award in Skills for Business and Administration
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate In Preparing for Further Study in Business
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Business and Administration