Working in Business and Administration

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 1
Unit No:
K/504/7980
Credits:
3
Guided learning hours:
25 hours

Assessment Guidance

Portfolio of Evidence

Aim

Before considering a career in business administration it is important that the learner knows the potential job roles, career pathways and skills they need to succeed. The aim of this unit is to give learners time to research job opportunities in the sector, identify the skills and knowledge they will need for specific job roles and then plan how they are going to achieve their ambitions in this area of work.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1

Know about job opportunities in business and administration.

Additional details

Learners can choose one of the functional areas within business administration. These may include:

  • finance and accounts
  • personnel or human resources
  • research and development, marketing and sales
  • production and operations
  • administration and IT support
  • customer services

There are a wide range of job roles within business administration. The following list is a small sample.

  • Apprentice
  • Receptionist
  • Call handler
  • Administrative officer
  • Project manager
  • Finance officer

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1
    Identify key job roles in different organisations within business and administration.
  • 1.2
    Describe the job roles in one functional area of business administration.
2

Know about working practices within business and administration.

Additional details

Learners should use a specific setting for this learning outcome. The example below would be for an apprentice in an office environment.

Checking, collating and providing information; answering and making telephone calls; producing documents using IT; handling mail; receiving visitors; supporting meetings; maintaining diary or calendar for individual or team; making travel arrangements.

Learners should also have a basic understanding of ways of working in the specific setting. In relation to the example above, that might include: an expectation that administrators will be present in the office between 9 and 5 and between a team they will ensure someone is available across that time including lunch; that flexi-time is available; that one administrator supports a team of colleagues.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1
    Describe working practices within a specific setting in business and administration.
3

Know about the qualifications and skills needed for jobs in business and administration.

Additional details

Qualifications are changing all the time. Learners should know where to find information about relevant qualifications including job centre, internet sites including Ofqual, Awarding Organisations, professional bodies.

Business administration skills may include:

  • planning and organisational skills
  • good communication skills
  • numeracy skills for specific job roles
  • IT capability
  • general employability skills for example time keeping, personal management, positive attitude

Learners may also consider skills required for specific job roles.

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1
    Describe the skills needed to work effectively within business and administration.
  • 3.2
    Identify the qualifications needed to work in the sector.
4

Be able to plan the early stages of a career within business and administration.

Additional details

This learning outcome gives the learner the opportunity to:

  • identify their own strengths, interests
  • identify their career ambitions and the steps needed to achieve them
  • research the availability and requirements of business administration jobs that they may be interested in
  • identify skills gaps and how they can be met for example work experience or qualifications 

Assessment Criteria

  • 4.1
    Identify job roles which meet personal career ambitions.
  • 4.2
    Identify own existing relevant skills and relevant ideas for development.
  • 4.3
    Identify further learning, including qualifications where required, needed to progress in the sector.