What is WorkSkills?

• WorkSkills is a new BTEC qualification from Edexcel that’s been developed after extensive research and consultation with employers, training providers, schools and colleges.
     
• A recent survey from the CBI showed that many employers wanted graduates with a positive attitude and wider employability skills to succeed in the workplace. The report suggested that, ‘these wider employability skills should include: general communication skills, applied numeracy, team working, problem solving and integrity’. WorkSkills provides these skills.
    
• The aim of WorkSkills is to deliver the skills that will help people gain and retain a job. The units build on the skills already taught in schools and colleges, and offer the opportunity to recognise these skills with a formal BTEC qualification.
    
• WorkSkills encompasses work placement, interview techniques, teamwork and vocational skills, as well as the soft skills that employers look for, such as adaptability, eagerness to learn and a can-do attitude. 
    
• Learners taking BTECs, GCSEs, GCEs, Diplomas and other recognised courses can fit WorkSkills into their timetable, adding a further work-related qualification to their CV.
    
• Units from Entry 3 to Level 2 will be available for first teaching from September 2008. Level 3 units will be available from September 2009.
     
• WorkSkills appeals to a number of different learners, both adults and 14- to 19-year-olds. Adult learners can include job seekers, parents returning to work, graduate trainees, offender learners, and people who are looking for a complete career change.  
    
• The flexible structure of WorkSkills allows learners to choose as many or as few 10-hour units as is right for them, to put together tailor-made BTECs at Award, Certificate or Diploma level.
    
• Schools, college and workplaces that currently offer BTECs can offer WorkSkills units immediately. Contact us on 0844 576 0026 to find out more.

What choices are available?

• There are up to 30 stand-alone units, from Entry 3 to Level 2, that can be used in a variety of qualifications. 
    
• The units, typically 10 hours each, are flexible and can be combined to create qualifications of different sizes and at different levels to suit the needs of the individual learner.

How is WorkSkills assessed?

• There are no external assessments. All assessments will be conducted internally by the provider.
• We will provide guidance on a range of assessment methods so that you have the freedom to select the most effective assessment activity. This could be a portfolio, a short test, a presentation or a combination of methods.

Visit the WorkSkills area of the website for more information.