Course overview

National Vocational Qualifications are one of the most popular qualifications within industry as they are delivered during working hours and demonstrate competency within a job role. These qualifications are based on national occupational standards, which are statements of performance that describe what competent people in a particular occupation are expected to be able to do. They cover all the main aspect of a specified occupation, including current best practice and are ideal for addressing skills gaps as well as identifying competence.

To achieve the full qualification, candidates must attain a minimum of 58 credits in total, comprising all the mandatory units (Group A) and the remaining credits will be achieved by selecting the following optional units; a minimum of 13 credits from group B and a maximum of 10 credits from group C and a maximum of 8 credits from Group D.

The Learning and Skills Development Officer will provide support and guidance in selecting the appropriate units.

Mandatory units (27 Credits)

• Communication in a business environment
• Manage, personal and professional development
• Principles of business communication and information
• Principles of administration
• Principles of business

Optional Units - Group B (13 Credits)

• Contribute to the improvement of business performance
• Negotiate in a business environment
• Develop a presentation
• Deliver a presentation
• Create bespoke business documents
• Contribute to the development and implementation of an informal system
• Monitor information systems
• Evaluate the provision of business travel or accommodation
• Provide administrative support in schools
• Administer parking and traffic challenges
• Administer statutory parking and traffic appeals
• Administer parking and traffic debt recovery
• Administer legal files
• Build legal case files
• Manage legal case files
• Manage an office facility
• Analyse and present business data
• Produce business documents
• Store and retrieve information
• Produce minutes of meetings
• Handle mail
• Prepare text from shorthand
• Prepare text from recorded audio instruction
• Maintain and issue stationery and supplies
• Contribute to the organisation of an event
• Organise business travel or accommodation
• Provide administrative support for meetings
• Administer human resource records
• Administer the recruitment and selection process
• Administer parking dispensations
• Administer finance
• Buddy a colleague to develop their skills
• Employee rights and responsibilities
• Support environmental sustainability in a business environment
• Resolve administrative problems
• Prepare specifications for contracts
• Prepare text from notes using touch typing

Optional Units – Group C (10 credits)

• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• Manage team performance
• Manage individuals’ performance
• Manage individuals’ performance
• Manage individual’s development in the workplace
• Chair and lead meetings
• Encourage innovation
• Procure products and/or Services
• Implement change
• Implement and maintain business continuity plans and processes
• Participate in a project
• Develop and maintain professional networks
• Develop and implement an operational plan
• Manage physical resources Prepare for and support quality audits
• Manage a budget
• Manage a project
• Manage business risk
• Recruitment, selection and induction practice
• Organise and deliver customer service
• Resolve customer complaints
• Using email
• Word Processing Software
• Website Software
• Spreadsheet Software
• Presentation Software
• Bespoke Software
• Database Software

Optional Units – Group D (6 credits)

• Principles of leadership and management
• Principles of market research
• Principles of marketing and evaluation
• Principles of digital marketing and research
• Principles of marketing stakeholder relationships
• Understand the customer service environment
• Understand the legal context of business
• Principles of social media within a business

Entry requirements

To be working a minimum of 10 hours per week in a appropriate vocational role which will enable you to gather the evidence for your qualification

How will I be assessed?

Assessment for this qualification will be via direct observation in the working environment.  Knowledge will also be assessed via assignments or a portfolio of evidence.  Some of the evidence used in portfolios will include; witness testimonies, professional discussion and and written records. 

What can I do next

Upon completing this qualification a review will take place with yourself and your employer to discuss progression opportunties which may lead to further study.