VRQ - Vocationally-Related Qualification
For information on the approval of qualifications for funding in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see the links to DCSF, DIUS, DCELLS, DELNI and DENI below.
When undertaking a qualification that does not appear on the governments' lists as eligible for funding for specific age ranges, users must be aware of legal requirements. Not all qualifications are suitable for all age ranges.
Of the three progression pathways from the Diploma, this qualification will give learners particular access to Apprenticeships and Employment but in addition will support the third pathway into other learning.
Internal verification: Centres are required to have processes in place reviewing each assessor's decisions to ensure that they are correctly interpreting and applying the standards set out in the specifications. The system used to do this is a matter for the individual centres and Edexcel fully supports the use of the centre's own quality assurance systems where this ensures robust internal standardisation. Centres will refer to the BTEC NQF Level 2/3 (including Short Courses at Level 1-3) (updated annually). This updated website/Services for centres/FE Colleges and Schools.
Candidates will need to complete units equivalent to 60 GLH
All units are level 2
The following units are 30 GLH - R/103/4471, L/103/4453, D/103/4456, F/103/4465, L/103/4470, A/103/4464, M/103/4476, J/103/4452. All others are 60 GLH
A grading scale of pass, merit and distinction is applied to all units.
All the units listed in this qualification are optional however there are a number of factors that should be taken into account. The factors include the aspirations of learners in terms of future progression (including potentially specific pathways within larger BTEC qualifications), their previous experience and any other qualification that they are undertaking in parallel.
The units are all suitable for Engineering (including Workplace Organisation and Standard Operating Procedures). Individual learners could undertake any combination, but there are some natural groupings of the other units.
The following units are suitable for Maintenance, Manufacturing and Electronics groupings:
Engineering Assembly Techniques; Electronic Circuit Construction and Testing.
The following units are suitable for Maintenance and Manufacturing groupings:
Application of Welding Processes; Engineering Marking Out.
The following unit is also suitable for the Maintenance grouping:
Fluid Power Maintenance Fundamentals.
The following units are also suitable for the Manufacturing grouping:
Preparing and Controlling Engineering Manufacturing Operations; Selecting and Using Secondary Machining Techniques to Remove Material; Programming CNC Machines; Fabrication Techniques and Sheet Metal Work; Casting and Moulding Processes; Using Specialist Secondary Machining Techniques; Production Planning Techniques; Application of Quality Control and Measurement in Engineering; Applying Continuous Improvement and Problem Solving Techniques.
The following units are also suitable for the Electronics grouping:
Telecommunications Technology; Application of Digital Networks; Personal Computer Hardware and Software Installation; Installing and Maintaining Home Entertainment Systems; Mobile Communications Technology; Electronic Devices and Communication Applications.