We are currently awaiting a decision from GoSkills, the SSC, as to whether they agree with the proposal to include a Handling Air Passengers unit within the BTEC Nationals in Travel and Tourism structure. This was considered by them in April; however, the Industry Board wanted more time to review the value to employers, and so they deferred a decision until the next board meeting. This has now been delayed until November.
We're sorry that we're unable to clarify the situation at the moment. At the request of centres, we're trying to have this unit included, but due to this delay the change is not likely to be operational before January 2012, if indeed it is agreed. Please check the noticeboard on the BTEC Nationals Travel and Tourism page for the latest updates.
However, the BTEC Nationals in Aviation Operations are being redeveloped for the QCF for September 2012, and it will be possible under Meeting Local Needs to import the Handling Air Passengers unit from that qualification when it has been accredited on the QCF. (Please refer to the BTEC Nationals suite rules, as set out in the Rules of Combination on p6 of the Travel and Tourism BTEC Nationals specification.) Therefore, Travel and Tourism centres should be able to include this unit in programmes from September 2012 at the latest, even if it is not possible for us to include it directly in the Travel and Tourism structures.
Please note that we are required to use the collaboratively developed Level 3 Handling Air Passengers QCF unit, which is now a four-credit unit. See the Ofqual Register for the learning outcomes and the 'Pass' assessment criteria. When included in the Nationals, the unit will have the usual Nationals Tutor Guidance and Merit and Distinction criteria. |