Making Choices in Pursuit of Personal Goals
Certa Entry Level Diploma in Skills for Further Learning and Employment (Entry 3) (QCF)
600/8671/3 /
QUALIFICATION OVERVIEW
The Certa Entry LevelDiploma in Skills for Further Learning and Employment (E3) is a nationally recognised qualification. It is a dual-purpose qualification that helps learners to re-engage with learning and overcome barriers towork. It enables learners to try out some subjects in a flexible course that can be tailored to their needs.
What does this qualification cover?
The Entry Level Diploma(E3) has37 Credits so learners will need to study for about 370 hours.
At least 6 credits must be from the Core group.Learners can study topics that will help them plan their learning and prepare for future employment, such as:
- making choices in pursuit of personal goals
- skills for employability
- rights and responsibilities of citizenship
- using listening and responding skills
- personal study skills
- work, review and plan
The other 31 credits can be from units in any of the groups but a maximum of 6 credits only can be taken from the IT group. This flexibility means that learners can choose topics to re-engage their interest in learning and try out a range of vocational areas including:
- horticulture skills
- health and fitness
- environmental study
- hairdressing
- catering
- vehicle maintenance
- DJing skills
- painting and decorating
Learners can also study English, maths and ICT topics to help with further learning such as:
- improving practical reading, writing and spelling skills
- money management and budgeting
- numeracy skills such as using decimals, percentages and fractions
- spreadsheets, word processing and database skills.
Learners will develop knowledge and skills in planning and managing their learning, as well as in employability. They will develop knowledge and skills in a range of vocational areas, depending on their choices. They will also develop the maths, English and ICT skills they need to support their learning.
Who is this qualification for?
The Entry 3 Diplomais for learners who need a varied set of knowledge, understanding and skills to help them progress. Learners who would benefit include those who:
- are ready to re-engage with learning and prepare for work within the same full time course
- are not yet ready for study at Level 1 (GCSE Grades D to G)
- need careful approaches to learning, perhaps because of poor or disrupted experiences at school, or because they are returning to study after some time away
- may previously have been reluctant learners, who are at risk of dropping out of education or training
- need some support with their learning
- need more confidence before entering or re-entering the job market
- have been unemployed for a while and who need to develop personal skills as well as some vocational knowledge and skills
- need to explore future career options and try out some vocational areas.
The Certa Entry 3 Diplomais for learners aged 14 years and over
Do learners need any prior qualifications, attainment or experience?
There are no formal entry requirements.
How are learners assessed?
Tutors assess the Entry 3 Diplomaby a variety of tasks that learners build into a portfolio of work as their learning progresses. These will include written tasks as well as some practical assessments. There are no formal examinations.
All assessments will be in English (or British Sign Language by arrangement with Certa).
Are there different versions of this qualification? If so, why should learners choose this one?
Learners should choose this Entry 3 Diplomain Skills for Further Learning and Employment if they are not yet ready for study at Level 1 (GCSE Grades D to G) and want to re-engage with learning and prepare for employment on afull time course (370 learning hours). It is suitable for learners who may need support for their learning and who want to develop a solid foundation of knowledge and skills.
The Entry 3 Certificate (150 hours of learning) may suit learners who need a slightly shorter course, for example so that they can study other qualifications at the same time. Learners who need a short qualification should consider the Entry 3 Award (30 hours of learning), which may suit those who want to ‘top-up’ their work and job-search skills quite quickly.
The Certa qualifications in Skills for Further Learning and Employment areshown in the table below. This Entry 3 Diplomais shaded to show where it fits in the progression ladder.
For those who are capable of study at higher levels, there are qualifications at Level 1 (GCSE grades D to G).
CERTA QUALIFICATIONS IN SKILLS FOR FURTHER LEARNING AND EMPLOYMENT
LEVEL / SIZE / CREDITS / Maximum number of learning hours
Entry 3 / Award / 3 / 30
Certificate / 15 / 150
Diploma / 37 / 370
Level 1 / Award / 6 / 60
Certificate / 21 / 210
Diploma / 39 / 390
The qualifications in Skill for Further Learning and Employment are dual-purpose quals, designed to enable learners to re-engage and address gaps in their learning, while at the same time develop some skills that may help them overcome barriers to work.
Learners who wish to focus on overcoming barriers to work should consider the Certa Work Preparation qualifications. Those who need to focus on building up their knowledge and skills should consider the Certa Qualifications in Progression.
WHAT COULD THIS QUALIFICATION LEAD TO?
The Certa Entry 3 Diplomain Skills for Further Learning and Employmentis designed to re-engage people in learning, and help them overcome barriers to work and prepare for employment on a long course. It will enable learners to progress to further learning at Level1, eg, the Certa Level 1 qualifications in Work Preparation. It may also prepare learners for progression to a Traineeship, or to further training in a specific sector. It may help some learners progress to employment in entry-level jobs in a range of sectors.
Will the qualification lead to employment? If so, in which sector or job role, at what level?
The Entry 3 Diploma is not available in an apprenticeship, and does not lead directly to employment. However, it will support learners who want to re-engage in learning, develop personal skills that are useful in work, and develop some vocational skills on a full time course. This may increase their chances of gaining employment in the future.
Learners who use the Diplomato progress to Level 1 may go on to train for jobs in a range of vocational areas, such as business administration, building and construction, catering, engineering, health and care, or retail and warehousing.
Some learners may be able to move into supported employment or an entrylevel job such as working in a shop or a garden centre, supporting a receptionist or customer care assistant.
Will the qualification support progression to further learning?
The Entry 3 Diplomais designed to re-engage people in learning and help overcome barriers to work. It will enable learners to progress to further learning at Level 1, eg, the Certa Level1 Certificate in Skills for Further Learning and Employment.It may also prepare learners for progression to a Traineeship, or to further training in a specific sector.
The Entry 3 Diplomaenables progression to a range of Certa Level 1 qualifications such as:
Certa Level 1 Certificate inSkills for Further Learning and Employment (21credits)
Certa Level 1 Diploma in Skills for Further Learning and Employment (39 credits)
Certa Level 1 Certificate in IT User Skills (ITQ) (13 credits)
Certa Level 1 Diplomain Work Preparation (15 credits).
Other possible progression routes include:- vocational training at Level 1,to support a future job role
- vocational training at Level 1, followed by further learning at Levels 2 and 3 to support a future career, eg as part of an apprenticeship
- supported employment or an entry-level job such as working in a shop or a garden centre, supporting a receptionist or customer care assistant.
WHO SUPPORTS THIS QUALIFICATION?
A number of Centres support this Entry LevelDiploma(E3)including those listed below.
- Barnsley College UKPRN 10000536
- Doncaster MBC UKPRN 10002008
- Leeds City College UKPRN 10024962
To find out if Certa offers this qualification near where you live, please contact
To find out more please go to:
Certa Purpose Statement SFFLE E3D v3Page 1 of 5