02 Mar 2021
This qualification is being withdrawn
The operational end date (last date for new starts) of this qualification is 31/07/2020 and the certification end date is 31/07/2021.
Key Facts
Qualification purpose
Prepare for employment
Qualification Grading Type
Pass
Assessment Methods
Why choose this qualification?
Qualifications in Progression are a flexible and responsive range of general and pre-vocational qualifications devised with the aim to progress learners into further learning and/or employment. They also contain many of the units from the popular Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-Up) qualifications so can be used in their place.
The qualification consist of a range of core units to provide opportunities for learners to develop skills in the areas such as literacy, numeracy, ICT, employability, learning to learn and personal development; plus a range of taster units in different sector specific areas providing opportunities for learners to test out their abilities and personal preferences before selecting a chosen career or employment route.
These qualifications will be of particular benefit to those learners who:
want to progress into other further or higher education courses, or into new work area
are returning, or planning to return, to work and who are seeking to update and/or add to their employment skills
would benefit from alternative approaches to curriculum and learning
want to test out a vocational area to inform their career/employment choices
for whatever reason, have not previously achieved in education
need to develop their literacy and/or numeracy skills.
The qualifications allow learners to achieve the size and level of qualification most suitable for their needs and relevant to their stage of learning, providing an opportunity to work towards qualifications in small steps. The Qualifications in Progression are also approved to run with pre-16 learners. They contain many of the units from the popular Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-Up) qualifications so can be used in their place.
Changes to our Progression qualifications
The recent review of our suite of Progression qualifications has resulted in the decision to withdraw the Entry Level Diploma (Entry 3), Level 2 Diploma, Level 3 Award and Level 3 Certificate. The Operational End Date of the qualifications will be the 31/07/2020 and the Certification End Date will be the 31/07/2021. Please refer to the qualification specification available on this page which covers these qualifications until their withdrawal.
Please refer to the new Progression qualification specification for further details of our updated E3 to L2 Progression qualifications.
Rules of Combination
Learners must achieve 30 credits in total. 6 credits must be achieved from the Mandatory Group A (Core Skills). The learner can take the remaining credits from any group but a maximum of 9 credits can be taken from Optional Group IT, of which up to 6 credits can be at Level 2. A minimum of 21 credits must be achieved at Level 3. A maximum of 9 credits are allowed at Level 2.
Units
Learners can select 13 credits from this unit group.
Learners must achieve a minimum of 6 credits from this group.
Learners may achieve 9 credits from this group.
Adapting to Change at Work
Building a Personal Career Portfolio
Career Planning
Communicating Information
Communication Skills for Group and Teamwork
Communication in the Workplace
Critical Thinking
Customer Service
Debt Management
Decision Making Skills
Developing Personal Confidence and Self Awareness
Developing own Interpersonal Skills
Employment Rights, Contracts and Pay
Health and Safety Awareness in a Working Environment
Improving Assertiveness and Decision Making Skills
Improving Own Learning and Performance
Introduction to Mentoring
Investigating a Career
Leadership Skills
Learning from Volunteering
Making Choices in Pursuit of Personal Goals
Managing Personal Relationships
Managing Your Own Learning
Mentoring Practice
Mentoring Skills
Numeracy in Context - Planning a Mathematical Project
Participating in a Vocational Taster
Peer Educator Skills
Personal Budgeting and Managing Money
Personal Career Preparation
Personal Development
Personal Learning Skills
Personal Risk
Personal Study Skills
Personal and Social Responsibility
Practical Presentation Skills
Prejudice and Discrimination
Preparation for a Recruitment Interview
Preparing for Work
Problem Solving Skills
Reading Strategies
Recognising Employment Opportunities
Recognising Issues of Substance Misuse
Research Skills
Take Part in an Activity
Team Building Skills
Teamwork Skills
Understanding Conflict Resolution
Understanding Discrimination
Understanding Diversity within Society
Understanding Mediation
Understanding Personal Finance: Savings and Credit
Understanding Stress and Stress Management Techniques
Understanding Team Motivation
Undertaking an Enterprise Project
Work Experience
Writing for Meaning Skills
Learners may achieve 30 credits from this group.
Improving Own Learning and Performance
Learners can select 3 credits from this unit group.
Learners can select a maximum of 9 credits from this group, of which up to 6 credits can be at Level 2.
Learners can select a maximum of 6 credits at Level 2 from IT.
Audio Software
Data Management Software
Database Software
Design Software
Desktop Publishing Software
IT Communication Fundamentals
IT Software Fundamentals
Imaging Software
Multimedia Software
Presentation Software
Spreadsheet Software
Using Email
Using the Internet
Website Software
Word Processing Software
Learners can select a maximum of 9 credits at Level 3 from IT.
Audio Software
Data Management Software
Database Software
Design Software
Desktop Publishing Software
Imaging Software
Multimedia Software
Presentation Software
Spreadsheet Software
Using Email
Using the Internet
Video Software
Website Software
Word Processing Software
Learners can select a maximum of 9 credits from this unit group.
Acoustic Recording Techniques
Audio Production Skills
Children's Social and Emotional Development
Communication Skills for Business
Counselling Theories
Creative Writing Skills
DJing Skills
Introduction to Composing Music
Life Processes and Living Things
Materials and their Properties
Music Skills for Solo Performance
Musical Ensemble Skills
Oral Storytelling for Performance
Performance Improvisation Techniques
Performance Planning Skills - Director
Performance Planning Skills - Performer
Performance Realisation Skills - Director
Performance Realisation Skills - Performer
Performing Physical Theatre
Personal Physical Fitness
Physics: Physical Processes
Play for Early Learning
Production Rehearsal Process Skills - Performer
Production Rehearsal Process Skills - Technician
Providing Personal Care in Care Settings
Rehearsal Skills
Song Writing Skills
Taking Part in Sport for Personal Improvement
Technical Skills for Performance in the Arts
The Intellectual and Language Development of Children
The Internet as a Tool for Music Promotion
The Investigative Process, Principles and Practical Skills
The Role of the Care Worker in Caring for the Person with Dementia
The Theory of Music
Understanding Ageing and the Older Person
Understanding Child Protection Theory
Understanding Continence Care
Understanding Disability, Society and the Law
Understanding Ecology and Conservation
Understanding Health Promotion in Care Settings
Understanding Hearing Impairment
Understanding How to Care for Babies under Twelve Months
Understanding Mental Health
Understanding Nutrition and Weight Management
Understanding Nutrition, Performance and Healthy Eating
Understanding Physical Disabilities
Understanding how to Meet the Physical Needs of Children
Understanding the Importance of Play
Understanding the Language and Communication Development of Children
Understanding the Use of Music for Commerce
Understanding the Value of Food and Nutrition for Children and Young People
Using Digital Sampling Techniques for Composing
Using Sequencing Technology in Composition
Learners can select 12 credits from this unit group.
Learners can select 24 credits from this unit group.
Learners can select 14 credits from this unit group.
What is the purpose of this qualification?
The qualification is designed for learners who need a short, focused course to enable them to progress from their specific starting point to their planned destination, usually some form of further learning, but in some cases employment or improved status in terms of their personal and social development. Typical users of the qualification will include learners who require a personalised approach to training and development in order to enable them to overcome a specific barriers and progress successfully.
The wide range of optional units in this qualification means that it is appropriate for many different types of learners with different needs, interests and aspirations.
Examples of users who would benefit from this qualification include learners who:
• need to develop a specific skill and/or area of knowledge in order to progress to more mainstream education courses, or into employment or to new work areas
• need a small amount of Level 2 learning to ‘kick-start’ a predominantly
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification includes a wide range of vocational, employability and personal and social development knowledge and skills. Units are divided into two groups: those focused on employability and personal and social development; and those focused on vocational or subject-specific knowledge and skills. Learners must include at least one unit from the first group. They then have the freedom to work with the provider to select further units appropriate to their needs, interests and ambitions for the future.
Units cover the following vocational / subject areas:
Child Development and Well-being
Health and Social Care
ICT for Users
Marketing and Sales
Media and Communcation
Performing Arts
Preparation for Learning, Life and Work.
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
It is most suitable for learners who need a larger programme of learning in order to progress to their intended progression destination. It is most likely to lead to further education and training such as an Access to Higher Education Diploma or vocationally specific qualifications such at Level 3.
This qualification is part of a suite which includes a Level 3 Award and Certificate as well as qualifications at lower levels including Entry 3, Levels 1 and 2.
Which sector does this qualification support?
The main purpose of this qualification is to enable learners to progress to further learning or training such as an Access to Higher Education Diploma or a traineeship or apprenticeship but for some. However, for some learners it can support progression to and within employment.
What are the progression options?
The qualification supports progression to a wide range of further learning opportunities including Level 3 qualifications.
Progression & entry requirements
Learners are not required to have any prior qualifications or demonstrate specific levels of attainment to access this qualification. The approved age range for these qualifications is: 16-18 and 19+.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.