02 Mar 2021
This qualification is being withdrawn
The operational end date (last date for new starts) of this qualification is 31/07/2021 and the certification end date is 31/07/2022.
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 equip learners with the underpinning knowledge and skills specific to work as an Office Administrator together with transferable employability skills. They are designed to support progression to further learning and ultimately to work in office administration or other related sectors.
The Skills for Office Professionals qualifications form part ofour Suite of Skills qualifications that cover a number of sectors and are available at 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 the further education sector. They have been designed to be consistent with the principles for study programmes for 16-19 year olds but are also relevant for adults including the unemployed.
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete the two Mandatory units from Group M (Mandatory), totalling 6 credits, and 9 further credits from Group O (Optional). A minimum of 10 credits must be at Level 2. Learners cannot include more than one unit with the same or similar title. For full details see list of barred units.
Units
Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.
Effective Communication in the Workplace
Working in Administration
Learners must complete a minimum of 9 credits from this group.
Applying for a Job
Audio Transcription
Audio Transcription
Career Planning in Administration
Career Progression
Creating Business Documents
Databases
Databases
Handling Mail
Health and Safety in the Workplace
Learning from Work Placement
Learning from Work Placement
Mailmerge
Making and Receiving Calls
Medical Terminology
Medical Word Processing
Searching for a Job
Speed Keying
Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets
Supporting Business Meetings
Supporting Sustainability in an Office Environment
Text Processing
Text Processing
Time Management
Time Management
Understanding Business Meeting Techniques
Understanding Business Organisations
Using Numeracy Skills in the Workplace
Using Numeracy Skills in the Workplace
Word Processing
Word Processing
Work in a customer-friendly way
Working in Business Teams
Working in a Team
Working in an Office
Working with Colleagues
Working with Customers
What is the purpose of this qualification?
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+, 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, but are not yet ready, to access level 3 qualifications or an advanced apprenticeship.
• Young people and adults usually with prior attainment at level 1 and below, 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 broad grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills before applying for work.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification provides a 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 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, Extended 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 3 Apprenticeship or to a Level 3 qualification, as illustrated in the target learner profiles provided above. The Certificate may also be the most appropriate size of qualification for learners who have not yet achieved Level 2 English and Maths and need to include significant learning time for these subjects within their learning programme.
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification could lead to a number of roles in office professionals such as administrative assistant, secretary, audio transcriber.
How will this qualification support the learner’s independence?
Learners can progress to a Level 3 certificate or diploma in Office Professionals in any of the available pathways, including Technical level qualifications, or to an advanced Apprenticeship in Office Professionals in any of the available pathways. Learners may also be able to progress onto Level 3 Business Administration, Accounting or ITQ qualifications.
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+, 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, but are not yet ready, to access level 3 qualifications or an advanced apprenticeship. • Young people and adults usually with prior attainment at level 1 and below, 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 broad grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills 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
From 1st July 2021, the Hub will be replaced by a new Find a learning aim (FALA) service. This service is currently in BETA so if you experience any issues with finding funding details, please double check on the Hub above, or contact your account manager.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website
How to find a learning aim
If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:
How to Use: Find a learning Aim
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