Apprenticeships and Vocational Training Business and Administration qualifications are adaptable to almost any organisation. Candidates will gain transferable skills through the qualification enabling them to be dynamic and well suited to a variety of different job roles in a range of work environments. Individuals working in this field often carry out the day-to-day activities which ensure an organisation is running efficiently and profitably, whilst keeping staff and customers happy. This leaflet will provide you with all the information you need to know about the Business and Administration qualifications at Level 2, 3 and 4, whether you: are planning to recruit a new member of staff to your organisation to a business and administration role. have existing staff that need to undertake this training are an individual looking to gain the qualification to enhance your skills in your current role are planning to start a career in Business and Administration through an Apprenticeship or voluntary placement. Who are these qualifications for? The Level 2 qualification is for those who are new to a business and administration role, with no or very little experience. Level 3 is aimed at those are more experienced and looking to increase their depth of knowledge of certain aspects of business and administration. Those undertaking the Level 4 qualification are likely to be working at management level, perhaps as an officer manager, administration team leader or business development executive. What are the entry requirements? In order to start a Business and Administration Qualification, candidates must have a work placement. For 16-24 year olds undertaking Apprenticeships, the work placement must be paid by the employer and be for at least 30 hours per week. If you are already employed, working requirements can be negotiated depending on existing experience. You may be able to access the training if you are volunteering for 16 hours per week whilst in receipt of Job Seekers or Employability and Support Allowance. How long will it take to complete? The Level 2 qualification will take between 12 and 15 months to complete. At Level 3, candidates can expect to complete in, between 12 and 18 months. The Level 4 qualification can take up to 18 months to complete. Completion times may vary and are dependent on a range of factors including candidate ability, previous experience and working hours.
Personal qualities required to work in this sector If you re already working in a Business and Administration role, it is likely you will naturally possess many of the personal qualities that are suited to this sector. Due to the type of work and daily activities involved, administrators are often highly organised with the ability to multi-task and manage a varied workload. Individuals will have great communication skills, whilst being a presentable and professional people person with a pleasant attitude. Qualification Information and Content How will the qualifications be achieved? Qualifications are work-based. Candidates will have an assessor who will visit them at work on a regular basis to document progress through observations, discussions and witness testimonies from managers. Depending on your current circumstances some individuals will just work towards the vocational qualification, whilst others may work towards an Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships Apprenticeships offer candidates a full package of qualifications known as a framework. In addition to the certificate/diploma, all candidates are required to work towards maths, English and IT qualifications, whilst learning about employment rights and responsibilities, and building on personal learning and thinking skills. There is a technical certificate providing the opportunity to build on industry knowledge to enhance and support workplace learning. Apprenticeship Framework Level 2 Qualification Candidates will work towards achieving the following: Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Business and Administration Level 2 Technical Certificate in Principles of Business and Administration Level 1 Functional Skills in English, Maths and Information Technology Employment Rights and Responsibilities Personal Learning and Thinking Skills Level 3 Qualification Candidates will work towards achieving the following: Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Business and Administration Level 3 Technical Certificate in Principles of Business and Administration Level 2 Functional Skills in English, Maths and Information Technology Employment Rights and Responsibilities Personal Learning and Thinking Skills
Additional free management courses to enhance your Advanced Apprenticeship Any person currently undertaking a Level 3 Apprenticeship is entitled to access a programme of 6 management courses free! Courses are available in the following areas: - Problem Solving - Communication - Team leading - Motivation - Managing Change - Mentoring Course Schedule 2013 Problem Solving Tues 15 January 2013 Team Leading Tues 12 February 2013 Mentoring Tues 12 March 2013 Communication Tues 16 April 2013 Level 2 Certificate in Business and Administration Learning Methods Candidates must complete a minimum of 21 credits, of which 14 credits must be at Level 2. The choice of optional units will be discussed and selected with your assessor and/or line manager based on your existing skills and knowledge. Motivation Tues 14 May 2013 Managing change Tues 11 June 2013 Problem Solving Tues 16 July 2013 Team Leading Tues 13 August 2013 Mentoring Tues 10 September 2013 Communication Tues 15 October 2013 Motivation Tues 12 November 2013 Managing change Tues 10 December 2013 All courses are run at The Lantern, Meadow Farm Drive, Shrewsbury, SY1 4NG. Scan the QR code with your smartphone or visit www.shropshire.gov.uk/managementcourses for further details and a full list of dates. (Please note: Individual courses usually cost 75. There will be a 50 charge in the event of nonattendance on the day of the course, without prior notice being given.) Group A: Mandatory Units Manage own performance in a business environment 2 2 Improve own performance in a business environment 2 2 Work in a business environment 2 2 Communicate in a business environment 2 3 Group B: Optional units Solve business problems 2 4 Work with other people in a business environment 2 3 Contribute to running a project 3 5 Produce documents in a business environment 2 4 Prepare text from notes 2 3 Prepare text from notes using touch typing (40 wpm) 2 3 Prepare text from shorthand (60 wpm) 2 8 Prepare text from recorded audio instruction (40 wpm) 2 4 Design and produce documents in a business Prepare text from notes using touch typing (60 wpm) 3 4 Prepare text from shorthand (80 wpm) 3 8 Prepare text from recorded audio instruction (60 wpm) 3 4
Level Group B: Optional units Support the organisation of an event 2 2 Support the co-ordination of an event 2 3 Support the organisation of business travel or accommodation 2 3 Support the organisation of meetings 2 4 Plan and organise an event 3 4 Co-ordinate an event 3 4 Plan and organise meetings 3 5 Make and receive telephone calls 1 3 Use electronic message systems 2 1 Use a diary system 2 3 Take minutes 2 4 Develop a presentation 3 3 Deliver a presentation 3 3 Handle mail 2 3 Provide reception services 2 3 Meet and welcome visitors 2 3 service to internal customers 3 3 service to external customers 3 3 Organise and report data 2 3 Research information 2 4 Store and retrieve information 2 3 Archive information 2 2 Support the management and development of an information system 2 7 Support the design and development of an information system 3 7 Monitor information systems 3 7 Analyse and report data 3 6 Use office equipment 2 4 Maintain and issue stationery stock items 2 3 Order products and services 3 5 Agree a budget 3 4 Respond to change in a business environment 2 3 Contribute to innovation in a business Administer human resources records 2 3 Administer the recruitment and selection process 2 4 Administer parking dispensations 2 4 Group C: Optional units Use occupational health and safety guidelines when using keyboards 1 2 Bespoke software 1 2 Data management software 1 2 Database software 1 3 Improving productivity using IT 1 3 IT security for users 1 1 Presentation software 1 3 Set up an IT system 1 3 Spreadsheet software 1 3 Using collaborative technologies 1 3 Website software 1 3 Word processing software 1 3 Bespoke software 2 3 Data management software 2 3 Database software 2 4 Improving productivity using IT 2 4 IT security for users 2 2 Presentation software 2 4 Set up an IT system 2 4 Spreadsheet software 2 4 Using collaborative technologies 2 4 Website software 2 4 Word processing software 2 4
Level Level 3 Diploma in Business and Administration Learning Methods Candidates must complete a minimum of 40 credits, of which 27 credits must be at Level 3. The choice of optional units will be discussed and selected with your assessor and/or line manager based on your existing skills and knowledge. Group A: Mandatory Units Manage own performance in a business environment 3 3 Evaluate and improve own performance in a 3 3 business environment Work in a business Communicate in a business environment 3 3 Group B: Optional Units Solve business problems 3 4 Work with other people in a business Contribute to decision-making in a business environment 3 3 Negotiate in a business environment 3 5 Supervise a team in a business environment 3 6 Supervise an office facility 3 5 Contribute to running a project 3 5 Produce documents in a business environment 2 4 Prepare text from notes 2 3 Prepare text from notes using touch typing (40 wpm) 2 3 Prepare text from shorthand (60 wpm) 2 8 Group B: Optional Units continued Prepare text from recorded audio instruction (40 wpm) 2 4 Design and produce documents in a business Prepare text from notes using touch typing (60 wpm) 3 4 Prepare text from shorthand (80 wpm) 3 8 Prepare text from recorded audio instruction (60 wpm) 3 4 Support the organisation of an event 2 2 Support the co-ordination of an event 2 3 Support the organisation of business travel or accommodation 2 3 Support the organisation of meetings 2 4 Plan and organise an event 3 4 Co-ordinate an event 3 4 Plan and organise meetings 3 5 Organise business travel or accommodation 3 5 Evaluate the organisation of business travel or accommodation 3 2 Use electronic message systems 2 1 Use a diary system 2 3 Take minutes 2 4 Develop a presentation 3 3 Deliver a presentation 3 3 Handle mail 2 3 Provide reception services 2 3 Meet and welcome visitors 2 3 services to internal customers 3 3 services to external customers 3 3 Use customer service as a competitive tool 3 8 Monitor and solve customer service problems 3 6 Organise and report data 2 3 Research information 2 4 Store and retrieve information 2 3 Archive information 2 2 Support the management and development of an information system 2 7 Support the design and development of an information systems 3 7 Monitor information systems 3 7
Level Group B: Optional Units continued Analyse and report data 3 6 Design and develop an information system 4 7 Manage and evaluate an information system 4 6 Use office equipment 2 4 Maintain and issue stationery stock items 2 3 Order products and services 3 5 Agree a budget 3 4 Manage budgets 4 5 Respond to change in a business environment 2 3 Contribute to innovation in a business Contribute to innovation in a business environment 4 6 Plan change for a team 4 6 Administer human resources records 2 3 Administer the recruitment and selection process 2 4 Administer parking and traffic challenges, representations and civil parking appeals 3 9 Administer statutory parking and traffic appeals 3 9 Administer parking and traffic debt recovery 3 9 Administer parking dispensations 2 4 Provide administrative support in schools 3 8 Administer legal files 3 7 Build case files 3 4 Manage case files 3 5 Group C: Optional Units continued Bespoke software 3 4 Data management software 3 4 Database software 3 6 Improving productivity using IT 3 5 IT security for users 3 3 Presentation software 3 6 Set up an IT system 3 5 Spreadsheet software 3 6 Using collaborative technologies 3 6 Website software 3 5 Word processing software 3 6 Manage physical resources 4 3 Manage the environmental impact of work activities 4 5 Provide leadership and direction for own area of responsibility 4 5 Support learning and development within own area of responsibility 4 5 Develop working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders 4 4 Group C: Optional Units Use occupational health and safety guidelines when using keyboards 1 2 Bespoke software 2 3 Data management software 2 3 Database software 2 4 Improving productivity using IT 2 4 IT security for users 2 2 Presentation software 2 4 Set up an IT system 2 4 Spreadsheet software 2 4 Using collaborative technologies 2 4 Website software 2 4 Word processing software 2 4
Level Level 4 Certificate in Business and Administration Learning Methods Candidates must complete a minimum of 30 credits, of which 20 credits must be at Level 4. The choice of optional units will be discussed and selected with your assessor and/or line manager based on your existing skills and knowledge. Group A: Mandatory Units Manage and be accountable for own performance in a business environment 4 3 Evaluate and improve own performance in a business environment 4 4 Support the purpose and values of an organisation 4 3 Support sustainability in a business environment 4 3 Assess, manage and monitor risk in a business environment 4 4 Communicate in a business environment 4 3 Group B: Optional Units Evaluate and solve business problems 4 6 Make decisions in a business environment 4 4 Negotiate in a business environment 4 7 Manage an office facility 4 6 Propose and design administrative services 4 8 Prepare, co-ordinate and monitor operational plans 4 6 Implement, monitor and maintain administrative services 4 7 Contribute to running a project 3 5 Manage a project 5 10 Group B: Optional Units continued Plan and organize an event 3 4 Co-ordinate an event 3 4 Plan and organize meetings 3 5 Organise business travel or accommodation 3 5 Evaluate the organization of business travel or accommodation 3 2 Chair meetings 4 4 Develop a presentation 3 3 Deliver a presentation 3 3 services to internal customers 3 3 services to external customers 3 3 Use customer service as a competitive tool 3 8 Monitor and solve customer service problems 3 6 Plan, organize and control customer service operations 4 1 Support the design and development of an information system 3 7 Monitor information systems 3 7 Analyse and report data 3 6 Design and develop an information system 4 7 Manage and evaluate an information system 4 6 Order products and services 3 5 Agree a budget 3 4 Prepare specifications for contracts 4 5 Manage budgets 4 5 Invite tenders and select contracts 5 6 Monitor and evaluate contracts 5 6 Contribute to innovation in a business environment 4 6 Plan change for a team 4 6 Plan change across teams 5 6 Implement, monitor and review change 5 6 Manage physical resources 4 3 Manage the environmental impact of work activities 4 5 Develop working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders 4 4 Provide leadership and direction for own area of responsibility 4 5 Support learning and development within own area of responsibility 4 5
How much will it cost? The cost will be dependent on individual circumstances. There may be funding available to cover training costs. For 16-18 year olds undertaking an Apprenticeship, training will be fully funded. A contribution of 250/ 350 may be required for individuals aged 19 and over depending on existing qualifications held. Candidates with a level 4 qualification or above e.g. a degree, will not be eligible for funding and therefore will need to pay the full cost, which is as follows: Level 2 qualification - 1200 Level 3 qualification - 1200 Level 4 qualification - 1200 24+ Advanced Learning Loans From April 2013, learner s aged 24 plus, working towards qualifications at Level 3 and above will be able to apply for Further Education Loans to support the costs of further learning and training. Please note however there is still funding available for learner s completing their qualification through an Apprenticeship. Please speak to County Training for further information and eligibility criteria for any of the above. Progression Opportunities After completing a Level 2 qualification in business and administration there will be lot of opportunities for progression in your career. Level 3 candidates could move into supervisory roles or specialise in a specific area of employment e.g. finance, events, marketing, human resources, business development. Often candidates with Level 3 qualifications will naturally move into management and supervisory roles with the opportunity to do some further training. Some people choose to go to university to undertake a foundation degree or an undergraduate degree in a related subject area to develop their skills and knowledge further. Contact County Training countytraining@shropshire.gov.uk www.shropshire.gov.uk/countytraining.nsf www.countytrainingblog.com