Applied Learning Courses
Listed below are brief descriptions of applied learning courses offered at Stradbroke Business and Enterprise College and delivered at The North Suffolk Skills Centre. The courses have allowed us to be innovative in our curriculum design and teaching, and gives pupils the chance to access high quality, relevant qualifications so that everyone has the chance to show what they are really capable of, and to realise their potential.
If a pupil chooses one of these courses they will spend one full day at the skills centre.
The Video clip gives you an opportunity to see what pupils taking the courses think.
City & Guilds Construction (Introductory) 2 Years (PRE-16)
This course is aimed at anyone who is interested in construction as a future profession.
What will I need to join the course?
An interest in all aspects of the construction industry
What will I be doing?
The course will involve:
Tasters in five aspects of the construction industry: Brickwork, Carpentry & Joinery
Electrical Installation, Painting & Decorating and Plumbing.
Health & Safety
Introduction to the construction industry.
How long will the course last?
Part-time over two years.
What will I achieve?
City & Guilds Introductory Certificate in Basic Construction Skills.
How will my progress on the course be assessed?
Accredited units for all five trades within the construction industry will be achieved. Three units can contribute towards post-16, full-time pathways.
And the future?
From this course you may wish to progress onto either a full-time construction course or into employment.
NVQ level 1 Hairdressing (VTCT) - 2 Year (PRE-16)
Is this the right course for me?
This course is for anyone who likes people and is interested in a career in the Hairdressing Industry.
What will I need to join the course?
We look for enthusiasm, good communication skills, a positive attitude, good personal presentation and a satisfactory grasp of the English language. Most importantly, a genuine desire to build a firm foundation for a career in the hairdressing industry.
What will I be doing?
Over two years you will cover the following subject areas:
UNIT G1 - Ensure your own activities reduce risks to health and safety
UNIT G2 - Assist with Salon reception duties
UNIT G3 - Contribute to the development of effective working relationships
UNIT H1 - Shampoo and condition hair
UNIT H2 - Assist with perming and colouring services
UNIT H5 - Prepare for hairdressing services and maintain work areas
Your study will include practical and related theory.
How long will the course last?
Part-time over two years.
What will I achieve?
NVQ Level 1 Hairdressing VTCT (Vocational Training Charitable Trust)
How will my progress on the course be assessed?
Throughout the course you will be assessed by observation of your practical skills, oral questioning, assignments and written tests.
And the future?
Pupils who complete the course may like to continue training in Hairdressing to gain NVQ Level II either through a full-time College course, or join the Target Youth or Modern Apprenticeship schemes in the workplace.
City & Guilds Motor Vehicle Skills - 2 Years (PRE-16)
Is this the right course for me?
This course will provide a good grounding in automotive studies and is a natural stepping stone to either an apprenticeship programme or a full-time college course in motor vehicle engineering.
What will I need to join the course?
This is an introductory course and there are minimum requirements to enter the course. Pupils will be required to take an assessment test and will be interviewed by the course team.
Pupils will need to show a willingness to learn the technology associated with a modern motor vehicle as well as an aptitude for the practical work. You will need to have your own protective clothing for workshop activities.
What will I be doing?
You will follow a broad-based work related programme which will give you an understanding of the principles and practice of motor vehicle maintenance and repair.
You will have some classroom study to provide you with the necessary technical knowledge and you will carry out workshop activities using basic engineering equipment as well as working on engines, complete vehicles and test equipment. The course is made up of modules covering vehicle systems and basic engineering skills. In addition you will develop planning skills and manual skills.
How long will the course last?
Part-time over two years.
What will I achieve?
If you complete the programme successfully you will be awarded a City & Guilds qualification that will be recognized by the vehicle repair industry. You will also have shown your ability to work at this level and made valuable additions to your National Record of Achievement.
How will my progress on the course be assessed?
Your motor vehicle knowledge will be assessed by practical assignments, multiple choice tests and computer based exams. Your ability to perform the practical tasks will be assessed through your performance in the workshops.
And the future?
You will be well placed to begin a career in the motor vehicle industry or continue your further education. If you gain appropriate employment you may progress to further studies and NVQ, or if you wish to develop your understanding of engineering then you could join the Advanced GNVQ in Engineering.
OCR Level 2 Certificate in Customer Service
The OCR Level 2 Certificate in Customer Service has been developed to recognise candidates' understanding of customer service and their level of interpersonal skills when dealing with routine customer service issues.
The Certificate is made up of two units. Unit 1 (The Customer Service Environment) focuses on the knowledge and understanding required to support effective customer service. Unit 2 (Customer Service Skills) focuses on the application of knowledge and understanding and the demonstration of the interpersonal skills needed to deliver exceptional customer service.
In order to achieve the full qualification, candidates must achieve both units. However, each unit represents a worthwhile achievement in its own right and certification is also available at unit level.
This qualification has also been approved as a Technical Certificate.
The course has a very enterprising aspect, is suitable for all abilities and has a personalised learning approach which in effect means that pupils can take the examination when they are ready, even though it is a two year course.
The course covers a broad range of customer service issues and would be suitable for any career contact with customers is part of everyday practice, e.g. financial institutions, hospitality, retail etc.
The qualification is equivalent to 2 GCSE’s.
LAND BASED STUDIES
First Certificate in Countryside and Environment.
This BTEC First Diploma offers a specialist qualification that focuses on particular aspects of employment within the countryside and environment sector. The course is delivered via a partnership with Otley College and four practical field based sessions are accompanied by two classroom based theory lessons.
This qualification would be particularly useful to those planning to become employed as practical workers within the countryside industry and can be continued post 16.
The units are:
• Industry and Organisations
• Habitat Establishment and Maintenance
• Machinery and Workshop Skills
• Trees, Woods and Forests
• Estate Skills
Key Skills will be integrated into the course in areas of Numeracy, Communication and Information Technology.
A breakdown of the content of some of the units is given below:
• Estate Skills – includes working with hand tools, maintaining boundaries, wood craft and estate maintenance
• Habitat Establishment and Maintenance - range of different British habitats, their characteristics, locations and the methods used in habitat establishment and maintenance
• Trees, woods and forests - the way in which trees and woodlands relate to historical and biological influences. This starts with basic tree biology and ecological principles and moves on to look at the ways in which forest resources can be exploited or managed sustainably by society
The course leads to the equivalent of 2 GCSE’s at grades A*- D and utilises new learning innovations including electronic learning.