Qualification Levels
There are eight qualification levels and an entry level in the National Qualification Framework.
The levels shown opposite illustrate the qualification from the National Qualification Framework and the corresponding framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
In addition to the qualifications illustrated there is a wide variety of other vocational qualifications e.g. in IT there are qualifications offered by Microsoft, Oracle and Cisco which can be used to complement qualifcations from the framework.
In many cases it is possible to get in-work training in such qualifications.
Entry Level
Entry level qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning in everyday situations under direct guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building basic knowledge and skills and is not geared towards specific occupations.
Level 1
Level 1 qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning with guidance or supervision. Learning at this level is about activities which mostly relate to everyday situations and may be linked to job competence.
Level 2
Level 2 qualifications recognise the ability to gain a good knowledge and understanding of a subject area of work or study, and to perform varied tasks with some guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building knowledge and/or skills in relation to an area of work or a subject area and is appropriate for many job roles.
Level 3
Level 3 qualifications recognise the ability to gain, and where relevant apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate for people wishing to go to university, people working independently, or in some areas supervising and training others in their field of work.
Level 4
Level 4 qualifications recognise specialist learning and involve detailed analysis of a high level of information and knowledge in an area of work or study. Learning at this level is appropriate for people working in technical and professional jobs, and/or managing and developing others. Level 4 qualifications are at a level equivalent to Certificates of Higher Education.
Level 5
Level 5 qualifications recognise the ability to increase the depth of knowledge and understanding of an area of work or study to enable the formulation of solutions and responses to complex problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the demonstration of high levels of knowledge, a high level of work expertise in job roles and competence in managing and training others. Qualifications at this level are appropriate for people working as higher grade technicians, professionals or managers. Level 5 qualifications are at a level equivalent to intermediate Higher Education qualifications such as Diplomas of Higher Education, Foundation and other degrees that do not typically provide access to postgraduate programmes.
Level 6
Level 6 qualifications recognise a specialist high level knowledge of an area of work or study to enable the use of an individual's own ideas and research in response to complex problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the achievement of a high level of professional knowledge and is appropriate for people working as knowledge-based professionals or in professional management positions. Level 6 qualifications are at a level equivalent to Bachelors degrees with honours, graduate certificates and graduate diplomas.
Level 7
Level 7 qualifications recognise highly developed and complex levels of knowledge which enable the development of in-depth and original responses to complicated and unpredictable problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the demonstration of high level specialist professional knowledge and is appropriate for senior professionals and managers. Level 7 qualifications are at a level equivalent to Masters degrees, postgraduate certificates and postgraduate diplomas.
Level 8
Level 8 qualifications recognise leading experts or practitioners in a particular field. Learning at this level involves the development of new and creative approaches that extend or redefine existing knowledge or professional practice.
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GCSE Grades D - G
All secondary schools offer GCSEs which are assessed by coursework and external examinations.
You could take a Vocational GCSE such as Applied Business or Art and Design alongside more general GCSEs. Maths and English are important.
You may get the chance to take a Young Apprenticeship or an NVQ Level 1 while still at school.
Local links
NATIONAL & LOCAL AREA LINKS FOR:
NVQ 2
An
Apprenticeship in
Customer Services is a mix of study and direct work experience with an employer.
This is a work based training programme usually offering paid employment while you learn and day release with a training provider
The programme includes:
For more information on the Customer Service Apprenticeship Framework visit
www.skillsmart.org.uk or
www.instituteofcustomerservice.com There is also a
Contact Centre Apprenticeship
- NVQ Level 2 in Contact centre Operations
- Key skills at Level 1 - Application of Number and Communication
- Employee Rights and Responsibilities including Health and Safety
For more information on the Contact Centre Apprenticeship visit
www.e-skills.com For more information on Apprenticeships generally visit
www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Local links
You can find out what Apprenticeships are available in the South East by visiting VT Careers Management website www.vtis.com
NATIONAL & LOCAL AREA LINKS FOR:
NVQ 3
An
Advanced Apprenticeship in
Customer Service is work based, and builds on the level 2 work through day release at college or with a training provider.
The programme includes:
For more information on the Advanced Apprenticeship Framework visit
www.skillsmart.org.uk or
www.instituteofcustomerservice.com There is also a
Contact Centre Advanced Apprenticeship
- NVQ Level 3 in Contact Centre Professionals
- Key skills at Level 2 - Application of Number and Communication
- Technical Certificate Level 3 such as the Certificate in Contact Centre Skills (C&G), Advanced Certificate in Call Handling (OCR) or the Award in Contact Centre Supervisory Skills (Edexcel)
- Employee Rights and Responsibilities including Health and Safety
For more information on the Contact Centre Advanced Apprenticeship visit
www.e-skills.com For more information on Apprenticeships generally visit
www.apprenticeships.org.uk Local links
You can find out what Apprenticeships are available in the South East by visiting VT Careers Management website www.vtis.com
NATIONAL & LOCAL AREA LINKS FOR:
Foundation degree
If you want to go into higher education, you could apply for a Foundation Degree in Retail which you can take full time or often part time to fit round work commitments.
A Foundation Degree course will give you specialist skills and help you develop:
- Work Skills
- Key Skills such as communication and problem solving
- General Skills such as reasoning and professionalism
Look on the Foundation Degree Forward site
www.fdf.ac.uk/courses/Retail.php or
www.ucas.ac.uk for courses such as
Retail enterprise and Retail management.
If you want to progress further you can top up a Foundation degree to an honours degree course by transferring into the second or third year of a related course – ask individual Higher Education Institutions about their entry requirements.
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NATIONAL & LOCAL AREA LINKS FOR:
Honours degree
You could take a one year ‘Top up’ course to reach honours degree standard in Retail Management or marketing.
Check
www.ucas.ac.uk for courses.
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want to get on the career ladder early