Personal skills development Level 5

Why deliver this qualification
This Course focuses on developing generic employability skills needed for success in the workplace through a variety of practical experiences in the financial services area.
There is considerable flexibility of topics and contexts to facilitate personalisation and choice for learners and centres and to allow new and stimulating contexts for learning to be built into the Course.
It is anticipated that the Course will build on existing partnerships between schools, colleges of further education, employers and other training providers. Such partnerships will enable the Course to be delivered in a variety of appropriate learning environments with access to relevant teaching expertise.
Who does this qualification suit
This qualification is suitable for a wide range of learners including:
- pupils from mainstream schools or other education establishments
- school leavers
- adult returners to education
- learners in employment who wish to enhance their career prospects
- learners participating in 16+ programmes
- college students wishing to develop their skills and knowledge in relation to financial services
- trainees participating in preparation for entering employment
- individuals involved in voluntary activities
Access
Entry is at the discretion of the centre.
Progression
Successful learners may progress to:
- National Progression Award: Financial Services (SCQF Level 6)
- National Certificate programmes in Further Education
- vocational training
- employment
Approval
Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.
Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQAs general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Guide to Approval.
How to assess
The skills and qualities that are developed through this Course are assessed through a range of practical activities candidates will maintain a folio of evidence for each Unit to demonstrate their preparation, planning and participation. Some knowledge and understanding will be assessed through short-answer questions. Candidates will review their own progress and development in employability skills throughout the Course.
Each Unit will be supported by a National Assessment Bank (NAB) item which will provide an assessment package and will exemplify the national standard.
There is no external assessment for this Course. Learners must successfully complete each Unit to achieve the Course.
Unit specifications provide detailed information on the Evidence Requirements for each Unit. The Unit Support Notes provide information on approaches to assessment for each Unit.
The Units are internally assessed by centres and externally verified by SQA.