Qualifications guide

• Entry Level qualifications can be taken before or in addition to GCSEs.
• They are available in National Curriculum subjects, vocational subjects, skills for working life, life skills and basic skills.
• They can help you to progress to a GCSE or Level 1 qualification such as an NVQ.
• They are assessed through a portfolio of evidence of your achievements, tests and coursework.
• Check the subject file for more information on what Entry Level qualifications are available.

• GCSEs are offered by all schools in a range of subjects.
• The subjects on offer may vary from school to school.
• GCSEs mainly involve theoretical study, but with some investigative work. In some subjects they involve elements of practical work.
• GCSEs are usually assessed through a mixture of coursework and examinations.

• Short GCSE courses are often referred to as half GCSEs. They are offered by some schools in some subjects (for example, ICT, physical education and religious studies are often available as short GCSE courses).
• Short GCSEs are set at the same level as a full GCSE, but you just cover half of the material.
• They give you more options because you can study short GCSEs in addition to your full GCSEs, adding to the breadth of knowledge you can offer to colleges and employers.

• Do you want a real alternative to traditional qualifications? The 14-19 Diploma can help you develop work-relevant skills, knowledge and understanding in an exciting, creative and enjoyable way. You will experience different styles of learning in different settings, often in a more adult environment.
• From September 2008, you may be able to do a Diploma in Creative & Media; Construction & the Built Environment; Engineering; Information Technology or Society, Health & Development. Find out whether any of these Diplomas will be on offer in your area.
• By 2013, you will be able to take one of 14 different Diplomas at Levels 1, 2 and 3 covering all the sectors of the economy. They will sit alongside, and sometimes incorporate, A levels and GCSEs.
• Diplomas will give you the essential knowledge and personal skills that you will need for college, university or work and help you make choices about what career you want to follow.
• Diplomas will offer you a mix of theoretical and practical learning, including functional skills in English, mathematics and ICT, and personal learning and thinking skills, such as independent enquiry, creative thinking or team working.
• Through the additional/specialist learning part of your Diploma you will get the opportunity to study a particular topic in more depth or broaden your studies through complementary learning. This could include GCSEs or A levels.
• You will also take on an extended project as part of your Diploma, which will allow you to plan and organise your own learning. Your Diploma, at whatever level, will also include at least 10 days of work experience.

Find out how to access your Local 14-19 Prospectus at: www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19 For more information speak to your Connexions personal adviser or careers co-ordinator.

• There are more than 900 NVQs, designed for people interested in gaining practical skills and knowledge in a specific industry, for example beauty therapy, travel services, veterinary nursing or plumbing.
• They are work-related qualifications that reflect the knowledge and skills required to do a job effectively.
• There are no formal entry requirements, although you need to have experience of specific areas of work for the higher levels.
• There are five levels of NVQ. Usually, young people in Years 10 and 11 work towards Levels 1 and 2.
• Each level is divided into units of competence that cover different aspects of work.
• NVQs are assessed through observation of practical tasks linked to the work role, and continual assessment through the creation of a portfolio of evidence.

• A wide range of other vocationally related qualifications are available from different awarding bodies.
• They are designed to provide you with the relevant skills and knowledge needed for your chosen vocational area, for example in subjects like food hygiene, hospitality and public services.
• They are work-related qualifications which vary in length, from short programmes to a BTEC First Diploma, which is roughly the same size and at the same level as four GCSEs (A-C).
• They have a practical approach to learning, and are made up of units and modules which are assessed through assignments. You will build a portfolio of evidence of your knowledge, skills and understanding of your chosen work area.

• Young Apprenticeships give you a taste of real work while you learn.
• You study the normal school curriculum, including English, mathematics, science and ICT.
• You usually use one of your option choices to give you the time to work towards a vocational qualification, such as an NVQ.
• You also get 50 days of work experience with an employer, training provider or at college. These are spread over Years 10 and 11.
• You could progress on to a full Apprenticeship in the same area or you could move on to a college course.
• Young Apprenticeships are not available at all schools. Check with your careers co-ordinator or Connexions personal adviser.

Good language, mathematics and ICT skills are essential for adult life and important to employers. So, in the future, these skills will be part of all qualifications - including GCSEs, Diplomas and Apprenticeships - and will be available as stand-alone qualifications. Functional skills are being tested out in some schools and colleges from September 2007. They will be taught as part of Diploma programmes when they start in 2008 and as part of other qualifications from 2010.

These are the essential skills that will help you to be successful at work, in training, during study and in life.

Key skills cover:

• communication
• working with others
• application of number
• improving your own learning
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
• problem solving
• business and customer awareness.

Key skills are:

• Recognised qualifications, which you take alongside other qualifications.
• Assessed through a portfolio of evidence and a test in communication, application of number and ICT, and a portfolio of evidence only for working with others, improving your own learning and problem solving.
• Linked to your chosen area of study.
• Offered in colleges and for those taking work-related learning programmes.

For more information, visit www.keyskills4u.com