29 Nov 2021
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?
The Skills for Public Service qualifications are intended to provide learners with a broad introduction to working in the public service sector, including both armed services and non-uniformed services, 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 public service or other related sectors, including apprenticeships.
They form part of a “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 of the FE sector. 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.
These qualifications are designed to enable progression into further learning at the same level (eg from an award to a certificate) or to further learning at a higher level (eg from Level 1 to Level 2). The strong focus on transferable employability skills means that learners could move within or between sectors as they progress. Some learners may be able to progress directly into employment, particularly where work-based training will be offered, but it is expected that most learners will build on the skills and knowledge gained from these qualifications through further learning before entering employment. There are no prior skills, knowledge or understanding requirements for these qualifications, however, learners will benefit from having functional skills, at least at one level below that of the qualification (eg at least Entry 3 for the Level 1 qualifications).
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete 40 credits, including 6 credits from the Mandatory Group (M), 24 credits from Group O1 (Optional Units - Public Service) and 10 further credits from either Group O1 or Group O2 (Optional Units – Employability, English and Maths). At least 24 credits must be at Level 2 of which at least 18 credits must be from Group O1. Learners cannot include more than one unit with the same or similar title.
Units
Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.
Career Planning for the Public Services
Working in Public Services
Learners must take a minimum of 24 credits from this group.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Adventurous Activities and Teamwork for the Public Services
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Basic First Aid Principles
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Carrying Out a Public Services Project
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Citizenship, the Individual and Society
Citizenship, the Individual and Society
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Community and Cultural Awareness
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Crime and Society
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Expedition Skills
Undertaking an Expedition
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Fitness Testing and Training
Fitness Testing and Training
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Health and Safety in the Public Service Workplace
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Development of Personal Fitness
Planning own Fitness Programme
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Emergency Incidents in Public Services
Public Service Incidents
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Public Services: Assisting the Public
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Understanding the Law for Public Services Workers
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Volunteering in Public Services
Volunteering in Public Services
Learners may take 10 credits from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may take 10 credits from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Applying for a Job
Career Planning
Communication Skills for Work
Customer service skills
Digital Skills for Work
Exploring Entrepreneurship
Exploring and Presenting Enterprise Ideas
Health and Safety in the Workplace
Interview Skills
Introduction to Self-Employment
Leadership Skills
Making the most of work placement
Negotiation Skills
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 in a Team
Working with Colleagues
Learners may take 10 credits 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 Fluently and Accurately
Write with Accuracy
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Write to Communicate
Write to Communicate
Learners may take 10 credits 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
Numbers, Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Numerical Relationships, Algebra and Ratio
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
Using Probability
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using Size, Shape and Space
Using Size, Shape and Space
What is the purpose of this qualification?
This qualification provides an introductory set of knowledge and skills, relevant to the public service sector.
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 2, up to 2 years, before progressing to employment or to a level 3 qualification or apprenticeship
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. It is anticipated that this qualification will be of specific relevance to: • unemployed adults needing to demonstrate their interest in and commitment to a particular vocational area to potential employers, particularly where further work-based training will be on offer • young people on traineeships who are working at Level 1 and 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 1 before progressing straight to a larger certificate or diploma at level 2.Funding information
There are now two main sources for funding information, a straightforward ESFA Qualification Search and the more detailed Find a Learning Aim website.
The new Find a learning aim (FALA) service provides a search tool that you can use to check the funding status of any qualification, framework, unit, standard or T Level:
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website
The Education and Skills Funding Agency search provides funding information on qualifications. It does not provide funding information for units, non-regulated activity and work placements, for this information please use Find a learning aim (FALA).
View this qualification on the ESFA Qualification Funding Search
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.
Related Qualifications
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Award in Skills for Public Services
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Certificate In Skills for Public Services
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Diploma In Skills for Public Services
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Award In Skills for Public Services
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate In Skills for Public Services