Training - Development - Qualifications

Apprenticeships are increasingly recognised as the gold standard for work-based training. Already, more than 130,000 employers offer Apprenticeships.

QKL are able to offer two levels of Apprenticeship available for those aged 16 and over:

1 - Apprenticeships (equivalent to five good GCSE passes)

• Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as an NVQ Level 2, Key Skills and, in some cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification such as a BTEC.

• These provide the skills you need for your chosen career and allow entry to an Advanced Apprenticeship.

2 - Advanced Apprenticeships (equivalent to two A-level passes)

• Advanced apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as NVQ Level 3, Key Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge based certificate such as a BTEC. 

• To start this programme, you should ideally have five GCSEs (grade C or above) or have completed an Apprenticeship.

QKL has funding to provide apprenticeships in Health and Social Care and Customer Service.

These apprenticeships can be used for existing staff and those joining the organisation.

What does an Apprenticeship involve?

Learners will undertake three separate modules:

1. Award in Preparing to work in the Care Sector – this covers the knowledge part of working in the care sector.

At the Apprenticeship level modules cover:

• Principles of communication in adult social care settings
• Principles of personal development in adult social care settings
• Principles of diversity, equality and inclusion in adult social care settings
• Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care
• Principles for implementing duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
• Understand the role of the Social Care Worker
• Understand person-centred approaches in adult social care settings
• Understand health and safety in social care settings
• Understand how to handle information in social care settings 

For those taking the Advanced Apprenticeships the modules cover:

• Principles of communication in adult social care settings
• Principles of personal development in adult social care settings
• Principles of diversity, equality and inclusion in adult social care settings
• Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care
• Principles for implementing duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
• Understand the role of the Social Care Worker
• Understand person-centred approaches in adult social care settings
• Understand health and safety in social care settings
• Understand how to handle information in social care settings 

2. Diploma in Health and Social Care

This is like the old NVQ part – with competency based assessment carried out on site

Structure of the level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care:

The level 2 diploma in health and social care (adults) for England (QCF) is made up of 46 credits or more from three different groups.

Group A is made up of 9 mandatory units = 24 credits

Group B is made up of knowledge only units that offer the opportunity to undertake either a generic or specialist learning disabilities or dementia pathway. There is a choice of units within the rules of combination and these are stipulated in order to achieve the appropriate pathway.

Group C provides the opportunity to take a variety of competence units that reflect job roles. This includes a range of both specialist and generic units.

Structure of the Level 3 Diploma in health and Social Care:

The level 3 diploma in health and social care (adults) for England (QCF) is made up of 58 credits or more from three different groups.

Group A is made up of 9 mandatory units = 28 credits. The first 4 units are shared across adults and children in England, Ireland and Wales. The remaining 5 units are applicable to people working with adults only and are shared across England, Ireland and Wales.

Group B is made up of knowledge only units that offers the opportunity to undertake either a generic or specialist learning disabilities or dementia pathway. There is a choice of units within the rules of combination and these are stipulated in order to achieve the appropriate pathway.

Group C provides the opportunity to take a variety of competence units that reflect job roles. This includes a range of both specialist and generic units. Combined credits from group B and C = at least 30 credits

3. Key skills /Functional Skills

'Key Skills' refer to the skills that are commonly needed in a range of activities in education and training, work and life in general. They are transferable skills: once you've got them, you can use them in different situations.

Key Skills qualifications can:

• give you more confidence in your own abilities
• boost your CV and show employers what you can do
• help you move on to other qualifications such as an HND or degree
• show what you have achieved in your learning programme

Employers

Apprenticeships are the proven way to train your workforce. Apprenticeships can make your organisation more effective, productive and competitive even in these uncertain economic times.

There are real business benefits to taking on apprentices. The apprenticeship has been designed to help your employees to reach a high level of competency and performance.

A new scheme has been launched to recognise businesses who employ apprentices. The Apprenticeship employers badge can be displayed by businesses on their websites to highlight their commitment to Apprenticeships. In return, their logos will then be displayed on the Apprenticeships website.

The scheme has been developed in response to consumer demand. Recent research, commissioned by the National Apprenticeship Service, showed that 64% of consumers would use a register enabling them to choose a business that hires apprentices and over 80% of people are more likely to use a business if it offers Apprenticeships to young people.

Costs

QKL has secured funding for these qualification. Please contact QKL for more details and/or to arrange an on site visit to discuss how we can help qualify your staff.