Ascentis Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Further Education and Employment

Qualification Overview

The Ascentis Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Further Education and Development is designed to help learners make an informed choice about a career in education and training, business and administration, law, applied science or health science. Achievement of this qualification could act as progression towards programmes of study at Level 2 or Level 3 such as an Apprenticeship programme or the Access to HE Diploma.

There are several features of this qualification that makes it very appropriate for its target learners:

• Assessment is through the building up of a portfolio of evidence, allowing flexibility in terms of the learner putting together evidence most appropriate to their learning situation
• It has a flexible optional structure that allows learners and tutors to choose learning that is relevant to their specific needs
• Units are available at both Level 1 and Level 2
• Verification and certification can be offered throughout the year, allowing maximum flexibility for centres

Aims

The aims of the qualification are to enable learners:

• To develop vocational skills to progress with learning to the next level
• To develop skills to support study at higher levels
• In some cases, to progress into entry level roles in the sector

Target Group

This qualification is aimed at a range of learners who are looking to develop their skills and knowledge to go onto further study or work. It is for learners who may have gaps in their skills and knowledge or are interested in a specific career and are not yet ready to access a Level 3 qualification.

Assessment

All units are internally assessed through the learner building up a portfolio of evidence that covers the relevant assessment criteria, internally assessed and verified by the centre and then externally verified by Ascentis.

On completion of the learners’ evidence for either the individual units or the Certificate, the assessor is required to complete the Summary Record of Achievement for each learner. The Summary Record of Achievement asks assessors and the internal verifier to confirm that the rules of combination have been followed. This is particularly important in cases where a learner has taken units at different levels. The Summary Record of Achievement form is provided in Appendix 1 of the specification. Centres are required to retain all evidence from all learners for external verification and for four weeks afterwards in case any appeal is made.