This qualification specifies the key skills, knowledge and values required to access engineering and manufacturing qualifications in the Further Education and Training Band. It describes the learning outcomes required to participate in workplace-based learning programmes for occupationally focused qualifications in the manufacturing, engineering and assembly sectors.
It provides learners who have no formal qualification with an opportunity for assessment to
- Recognise prior learning.
- Identify gaps, and
- Structure learning programmes to close those gaps.
The learning required for these learners would be what is typically included in ABET learning programmes.
For learners who have formal school qualifications but no work experience, this qualification specifies the necessary knowledge, skills and values required to participate learning processes within a formal work environment. Typically, these outcomes reflect the learning outcomes that would be achieved at the end of an extensive induction and orientation process.
This qualification would enable both kinds of learners to establish an understanding of, and to make some preliminary choices about:
- A career and learning pathways.
- The content and requirements of the qualifications and unit standards which would form the basis of their learning, as well as have
- A knowledge and understanding of assessment processes, including Recognition of Prior Learning.
The qualifications specify:
- Fundamental skills in communication and mathematical literacy.
- Skills in working with basic communication and information technology systems.
- Core skills in measurement, use of common tools and instruments and an understanding of the science and technology which underpins these activities.
- Safety, health, environmental and quality issues related to the specific work context.
- Understanding and working with the policies, rules and procedures related to the specific work context, contracts, BCE and the relationship between the employer and the employee.
- Recognising and understanding the purpose, the processes, the materials and the products used within the specific work context, the structure of the workplace, and the purpose of specific departments or sections and the way in which each contributes to the purpose of the organisation.
- Understanding and explaining the purpose of the company in the context of the industry, sector and economy as a whole.
- Understanding and explaining the basic principles which underpin business in the manufacturing, engineering and assembly field (concepts of cost, adding value, money value of time, profit and loss, customers).
- Skills related to, and an understanding of, the options and alternatives in the learning pathway, goal setting, planning work and learning processes, measuring and evaluating progress and outcomes.
- Understanding financial issues related to pay, tax and deductions including unemployment insurance, pensions or provident funds and other forms of insurance
- Describe and explain a specific manufacturing, engineering or assembly process, relate the tools and materials to the process and explain the science and technology which underpins the conversion processes.
- Demonstrate in the process of assessment the use of appropriate numeracy and communication skills.
- Describe and explain, in the context of a specific workplace environment, the procedures and policies which govern that specific working environment.
- Describe and explain the purpose of a specific business.
- Describe and explain how the NQF enables the learner to select a learning path and identify the skills and qualifications that will enable him/her to achieve his/her goals and targets.
Course Modules:
Module 1 - Communication Literacy
Module 2 - Mathematical Literacy
Module 3 - Introduction to the Workplace
Module 4 - Manufacturing, Engineering or Assembly Process
To enter this qualification you will require the following:
- Stable Internet Connection
- Printer and Scanner
- Minimum of 3 hours per week for studying
- A quiet place where you can study
- Communication and Numeracy competency at ABET level 3
- Learners who have formal school qualifications but no work experience, this qualification specifies the necessary knowledge, skills and values required to participate learning processes within a formal work environment. Typically, these outcomes reflect the learning outcomes that would be achieved at the end of an extensive induction and orientation process.