The content of this Pathway has been agreed by Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS). This is the only Apprenticeship Pathway in the Education and Information Services sector approved for use in Wales that is eligible for Welsh Government funding.
Learning Programme Content
The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:
- Qualifications,
- Essential Skills
- On/off the job training
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway in Information, Advice and Guidance is 56 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway in Employment Related Services is 55 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 4 Pathway in Information, Advice and Guidance is 55 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 4 Pathway in Employment Related Services is 55 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 4 Pathway in Career Information and Advice is 63 credits.
Entry requirements
To encourage diversity in the workforce there are no formal entry conditions for this pathway.
However, an initial assessment of each learner’s suitability for entry to the Apprenticeship should be undertaken prior to their enrolment. This should aim to:
- Determine and select the most appropriate pathway within the pathway, which aligns to their particular role and career aspirations
- Ensure they have any particular entry requirements that have been specified for each of the pathways (as appropriate)
- Ensure they have appropriate communication, numeracy and digital literacy skills to cope with the demands of the Apprenticeship, and the potential to develop and improve these skills as part of the Apprenticeship programme
- Identify any other relevant prior learning and experience that should be considered in order to tailor the apprentice’s Individual Learning Plan – for instance, apprentices who have already achieved relevant qualifications or units before entry to the Apprenticeship should be encouraged to select options that will equip them with new skills and learning;
- Establish whether they have the appropriate level of maturity and the personal attributes and values that are conducive to the roles they will undertake as part of the Apprenticeship;
- Ensure that they are:
- Motivated to succeed in completing the Apprenticeship
- Willing to learn and apply what they have learnt in the workplace
- Willing and able to communicate effectively with a range of people; -
- Committed to equality and diversity
Assess their potential to:
- Recognise the importance of integrity in all personal and social interactions and respect the human rights of all people
- Be committed to an ethos of continuous professional development (the professional worker as reflective practitioner), leading to improvement in professional practice –
- Be committed to work collaboratively with customers and clients to meet their needs in providing information, advice and/or guidance.
Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)
Level 3: Information Advice and Guidance
Level 3: Information Advice and Guidance Qualifications
Participants must achieve the following combined qualification below.
| Level 3 Diploma in Advice and Guidance in Wales | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Agored Cymru | C00/0532/5 600/7818/2 | 38 | 380 | Combined | English-Welsh |
Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 3: Information Advice and Guidance | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 1 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3: Information Advice and Guidance | 194 | 244 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Level 3 Diploma in Advice and Guidance in Wales - Combined competence & knowledge qualification - 38 credits
The total amount of training hours for a typical learner, including both on and off-the-job guided learning is 438 hours
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Level 3: Employment Related Services
Level 3: Employment Related Services Qualifications
Participants must achieve the following combined qualification below.
| Level 3 Diploma in Employment Related Services in Wales | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Agored Cymru | C00/0532/7 600/7819/4 | 37 | 370 | Combined | English-Welsh |
Please see Annex 2 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 3: Employment Related Services | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 1 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3: Employment Related Services | 176 | 208 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Level 3 Diploma in Employment Related Services in Wales - Combined competence & knowledge qualification - 37 credits
The total amount of training hours for a typical learner, including both on and off-the-job guided learning is 384 GLH
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Level 4: Information, Advice and Guidance
Level 4: Information, Advice and Guidance Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following combined qualifications below.
| Level 4 Diploma in Advice and Guidance | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Agored Cymru | C00/0533/0 600/7876/5 | 39 | 390 | Combined | English-Welsh |
| Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Advice and Guidance | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| City & Guilds | C00/0351/4 600/1632/2 | 37 | 370 | Combined | English Only |
Please see Annex 3 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 4: Information, Advice and Guidance | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 3 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 1 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4: Information, Advice and Guidance | 177 | 221 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Level 4 Diploma in Advice and Guidance - Combined competence & knowledge qualification - 37 credits
The total amount of training hours for a typical learner, including both on and off-the-job guided learning is 398 GLH
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 3 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Level 4: Employment Related Services
Level 4: Employment Related Services Qualifications
Participants must achieve the following combined qualification below.
| Level 4 Diploma in Employment Related Services in Wales | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Agored Cymru | C00/0533/2 600/7821/2 | 37 | 370 | Combined | English-Welsh |
Please see Annex 4 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 4: Employment Related Services | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 3 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 1 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4: Employment Related Services | 171 | 188 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Level 4 Diploma in Employment Related Services in - Combined competence & knowledge qualification - 37 credits
The total amount of training hours for a typical learner, including both on and off-the-job guided learning is 359 GLH
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 3 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Level 4: Career Information
Level 4: Career Information Qualifications
Participants must achieve the following combined qualification below.
| Level 4 Diploma in Career Information and Advice | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| OCR | C00/4483/5 603/7560/7 | 45 | 450 | Combined | English Only |
Please see Annex 5 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 4: Career Information | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 3 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 1 | 6 |
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4: Career Information | 191 | 314 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Level 4 Diploma in Career Information and Advice - Combined competence & knowledge qualification - 45 credits
The total amount of training hours for a typical learner, including both on and off-the-job guided learning is 505 GLH
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 3 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Other additional requirements
If the Apprenticeship involves Regulated Activity new entrants will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Note: all Careers Wales staff operating with clients or client data must be DBS checked.
Progression
Progression into this pathway may be from a variety of routes including:
Entry from full time education / Returners to work / Direct employer recruitment, including via the Apprenticeship Matching Service / Foundation Apprenticeships such as customer service, business administration, contact centre operations, sales and telesales etc / From roles in customer service, business and administration, advice and guidance, contact centres, sales, learning and development, recruitment, etc / Other government funded employability programmes.
Progression routes from this pathway
This pathway allows apprentices to develop their career in a direction that suits them and their employer. Due to this flexibility there are a number of options open to apprentices on achievement of this pathway. These are described below:
Jobs roles in the following areas:
- Social support
- Employment within the voluntary sector
- Employment related services
- Careers information and advice
- Training
- Management and team leading.
Level 4 Strategic development roles in the following areas:
Policy, governance and service management
- Business development
- Consultancy
- Contract management/development.
Further training and qualifications including:
Level 3: Information, Advice and Guidance / Employment Related Services;
- Level 4 qualifications in Advice and Guidance, Career Information and Advice and Employment Related Services
- Other level 3/4 qualifications in areas such as customer service, management, business & administration, coaching and counselling
- Higher Apprenticeships in: Information, Advice and Guidance Related Services; Management & Leadership (after gaining experience at a middle management level); Customer Service; Business & Administration, etc
- Foundation degrees in relevant vocational areas.
Level 4: Information, Advice and Guidance / Employment Related Services
- Higher Apprenticeships such as management & leadership (after gaining experience at a middle management level);
- Qualifications at level 5 and above in areas such as advice & guidance, leadership and management etc.
- Foundation and undergraduate degrees such as management & leadership, business studies etc; and
- Careers guidance qualifications.
Level 4: Career Information
- Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (and other relevant careers guidance qualifications)
- Other qualifications at level 5 and above, such as advice & guidance, leadership and management etc
- Higher Apprenticeships in areas such as management & leadership
- Foundation and undergraduate degrees such as management & leadership, business studies etc and
- Teaching qualifications, such as PGCE.
Further information about working in the careers information and advice sector can be obtained from the Career Development Institute: http://www.thecdi.net
Equality and diversity
It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.
The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.
Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.
Apprenticeships are seen as a vital route to encourage a greater diversity of individuals into the sector and so the pathway has been designed to support this, in that:
Entry conditions to this pathway have been made flexible Mentoring has been included to offer additional support and increase retention of apprentices Equality and diversity is embedded into all components of the pathway.
Where lack of literacy and numeracy qualifications are identified as a barrier to employment, support through the Apprenticeship training model to secure qualifications removes this barrier.
The National Occupational Standards (NOS) and qualifications on which these pathways are based were developed with the sector to ensure access for as wide a selection of learners as possible.
The principles of equality and diversity relate to all those systems that have the potential to discriminate against apprentices at any point during the programme – from recruitment and selection and induction, through to successful completion.
The Welsh and English languages should be treated on a basis of equality. Training providers and employers are actively encouraged to cater for both languages where needed and required when delivering this Apprenticeship.
Employment responsibilities and rights
Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory. But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.
Responsibilities
t is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government Apprenticeships Guidance.
Further information may be obtained from: Welsh Government
Annex 1
Level 3: Advice and Guidance in Wales
To complete the Level 3 Diploma in Advice and Guidance in Wales (B1) apprentices must achieve all units from Mandatory Group A (20 credits), and a minimum of 18 credits from Optional Group B, to give an overall minimum total of 38 credits.
Competence and knowledge is combined within the units of this qualification. Credits for competence and knowledge have been apportioned for each unit depending on the proportion of competence and knowledge learning outcomes they contain.
Based on this apportionment, the 5 mandatory units provide 10 competence credits and 10 knowledge credits, thereby meeting the minimum requirements for an apprenticeship. The apportionment of credits within the mandatory units is as follows:
- Professional Practice and Legislative Requirements for Advice, Guidance and Employment Related Services in Wales (M/504/6149) - 0 competence credits and 6 knowledge credits;
- IAG: Establish Communication with Clients (H/504/6150) – 2 competence credits and 2 knowledge credits
- IAG: Manage Personal Case Load (K/504/6151) - 3 competence credits and 0 knowledge credits
- Manage Own Professional Development within an Organisation (L/600/9586) - 3 competence credits and 1 knowledge credit
- Support Clients to Make Use of the Advice and Guidance Service (L/602/5139) - 2 competence credits and 1 knowledge credit
The remaining competence and knowledge credits for this qualification are achieved by completing the appropriate number and combination of units from Optional Group A. Competence and knowledge must be assessed separately.
Annex 2
Level 3: Employment Related Services
To achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Employment Related Services in Wales apprentices must achieve all units from Mandatory Group A (16 credits), a minimum of 9 credits from Optional Group B, and a minimum of 12 credits from Optional Group C, to give an overall minimum total of 37 credits.
In this qualification, competence and knowledge is combined within the units. Credits for competence and knowledge have been apportioned for each unit depending on the proportion of competence and knowledge learning outcomes they contain. Based on this apportionment, apprentices will achieve at least 10 competence credits and at least 14 knowledge credits by completing the 3 mandatory units and the minimum number of units from Optional Group A, thereby meeting the minimum requirement for an apprenticeship. The apportionment of credits within the mandatory units and the units in Optional Group A is as follows:
- Professional Practice and Legislative Requirements for Advice and Guidance and Employment Related Services in Wales (M/504/6149) - 0 competence credits and 6 knowledge credits
- IAG: Assist and Prepare Clients (M/504/6152) - 4 competence credits and 1 knowledge credit
- IAG: Employment Related Services (K/504/6277) - 0 competence credits and 5 knowledge credits
- IAG: Establish Communication with Clients (H/504/6150) - 2 competence credits and 2 knowledge credits
- Support Clients to Make Use of the Advice and Guidance Service (L/602/5139) - 2 competence credits and 1 knowledge credit
- IAG: Manage Personal Caseload (K/504/6151) - 3 competence credits and 0 knowledge credits
- Enable Advice and Guidance Clients to Access Referral Opportunities (F/602/5185) – 2 competence credits and 1 knowledge credit
- Manage own Professional Development within an Organisation (L/600/9586) – 3 competence credits and 1 knowledge credit.
The remaining competence and knowledge credits for this qualification are achieved by completing the appropriate number and combination of units from Optional Group B.
Competence and knowledge must be assessed separately.
Annex 3
Level 4: Advice and Guidance
To complete the Level 4 Diploma in Advice and Guidance in Wales (B1), apprentices must achieve all units from Mandatory Group A (23 credits), and a minimum of 16 credits from Optional Group B, to give an overall minimum total of 39 credits. At least 22 credits must be achieved at level 4.
Competence and knowledge is combined within the units of this qualification. Credits for competence and knowledge have been apportioned for each unit depending on the proportion of competence and knowledge learning outcomes they contain. Based on this apportionment, apprentices will achieve 11 competence credits and 12 knowledge credits by completing the 5 mandatory units, thereby meeting the minimum requirement for an apprenticeship. The apportionment of credits within the mandatory units is as follows:
- Professional Practice and Legislative Requirements for Advice, Guidance and Employment Related Services in Wales (H/504/6181) - 0 competence credits and 6 knowledge credits
- IAG: Provide and Maintain Information for the Service (L/504/6157) – 2 competence credits and 1 knowledge credit
- Develop and Evaluate Operational Plans for Own Area of Responsibility (Y/600/9588) – 6 competence credits and 0 knowledge credits IAG: Organisational Culture, Values and Behaviour (Y/504/6159) – 1 competence credit and 3 knowledge credits
- IAG: Self-Appraisal in a Business Environment (T/504/6279) – 2 competence credits and 2 knowledge credits
The remaining competence and knowledge credits for this qualification are achieved by completing the appropriate number and combination of units from Optional Group A. Competence and knowledge must be assessed separately.
To complete the City & Guilds Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Advice and Guidance (B2), apprentices must achieve all units from Mandatory Group M1 (17 credits), The remaining 20 credits must be taken from the Optional Units in Group O1. A minimum of 19 credits must come from Level 4 units.
Candidates will achieve 9 competence credits and 8 knowledge credits by completing the 5 mandatory units. The remaining 1 competence credit and 2 knowledge credit required of apprentices to meet SASW requirements must be achieved by completion of optional units. The apportionment of credit within the mandatory units is below:
- (F/602/5140) unit 003 Develop interactions with advice and guidance clients - 4 credits: 3 competence; 1 knowledge
- (Y/602/5189) unit 014 Manage personal case load - 4 credits: 3 competence; 1 knowledge
- (H/602/5194) unit 016 Evaluate and develop own contribution to the service - 3 credits: 1 competence; 2 knowledge
- (F/602/5199) unit 018 Operate within networks - 3 credits: 2 competence; 1 knowledge
- (R/602/5210) unit 030 Understand importance of legislation and procedures - 3 credits: 0 competence; 3 knowledge.
A minimum of 20 credits are required from the optional units listed below. Any choice or combination of units that meet this minimum requirement will, combined with the mandatory units, meet the minimum 10 competence credits and 10 knowledge credits for the qualification as a whole (that is, any two optional units at least).
- (L/602/5139) unit 002 Support clients to make use of the advice and guidance service - 3 credits: 2 competence; 1 knowledge
- (R/602/5143) unit 005 Assist advice and guidance clients to decide on a course of action – 3 credits: 2 competence; 1 knowledge
- (A/602/5153) unit 006 Prepare clients through advice and guidance for the implementation of a course of action – 3 credits: 2 competence; 1 knowledge
- (J/602/5172) unit 007 Assist clients through advice and guidance to review their achievement of a course of action - 3 credits: 2 competence; 1 knowledge
- (R/602/5174) unit 008 Advocate on behalf of advice and guidance clients - 6 credits: 4 competence; 2 knowledge (H/602/5177) unit 009 Prepare to represent advice and guidance clients in formal proceedings - 6 credits: 2 competence; 4 knowledge
- (M/602/5179) unit 010 Present cases for advice and guidance clients in formal proceedings – 6 credits: 3 competence; 3 knowledge
- (M/602/5182) unit 011 Negotiate on behalf of advice and guidance clients - 5 credits: 3 competence; 2 knowledge
- (T/602/5183) unit 012 Liaise with other services - 3 credits: 2 competence; 1 knowledge
- (F/602/5185) unit 013 Enable advice and guidance clients to access referral opportunities – 3 credits: 2 competence; 1 knowledge
- (K/602/5200) unit 019 Undertake research for the service and its clients - 5 credits: 3 competence: 2 knowledge
- (M/602/5201) unit 020 Design information materials for use in the service - 4 credits: 2 competence; 2 knowledge
- (T/602/5202) unit 021 Provide and maintain information materials for use in the service - 3 credits: 2 competence; 1 knowledge
- (A/602/5203) unit 022 Identify and promote the contribution of Careers Education Guidance (CEG) within the organisation - 4 credits: 3 competence; 1 knowledge
- (F/602/5204) unit 024 Integrate Careers Education Guidance (CEG) within the curriculum - 4 credits: 3 competence; 1 knowledge
- (J/602/5205) unit 025 Promote Careers Education Guidance (CEG) - 3 credits: 2 competence; 1 knowledge
- (L/602/5206) unit 026 Negotiate and maintain service agreements - 3 credits: 2 competence; 1 knowledge
- (R/602/5207) unit 027 Facilitate learning in groups - 3 credits: 2 competence; 1 knowledge
- (Y/602/5208) unit 028 Prepare and set up mediation - 4 credits: 2 competence; 2 knowledge (D/602/5209) unit 029 Stage and manage the mediation process – 8 credits: 5 competence; 3 knowledge
- (M/600/9726) unit 033 Enable learning through demonstrations and instructions - 3 credits: 2 competence; 1 knowledge
- (A/602/5198) unit 034 Provide support for other practitioners – 5 credits: 4 competence; 1 knowledge
Annex 4
Level 4: Employment Related Services
To achieve the Level 4 Diploma in Employment Related Services in Wales (B1) apprentices must achieve all units from Mandatory Group A (22 credits), and a minimum of 15 credits from Optional Group B, to give an overall minimum total of 37 credits.
In this qualification competence and knowledge is combined within the units. Credits for competence and knowledge have been apportioned for each unit depending on the proportion of competence and knowledge learning outcomes they contain. Based on this apportionment, apprentices will achieve 10 competence credits and 12 knowledge credits by completing the 4 mandatory units, thereby meeting the minimum requirement for an apprenticeship.
The apportionment of credits within the mandatory units is as follows:
- IAG: Employment Related Services (K/504/6277) – 0 competence credits and 5 knowledge credits;
- Professional Practice and Legislative Requirements for Advice, Guidance and Employment Related Services in Wales (H/504/6181) – 0 competence credits and 6 knowledge credits;
- Managing Communications at Work (F/602/1878) – 4 competence credits and 1 knowledge credit;
- Develop and Evaluate Operational Plans for Own Area of Responsibility (Y/600/9588) - 6 competence credits and 0 knowledge credits.
The remaining competence and knowledge credits for this qualification are achieved by completing the appropriate number and combination of units from Optional Group A.
Competence and knowledge must be assessed separately.
Annex 5
Level 4: Career Information
To complete the Level 4 Diploma in Career Information and Advice (B1), apprentices must achieve all units from Mandatory Group M1 (30 credits), and a minimum of 15 credits from Optional Group O1, to give an overall minimum total of 45 credits.
For the Higher Apprenticeship, apprentices must complete the following unit, either as part of the 15 credits that make up the selected optional units, or in addition to these units:
- Source, Evaluate and Use Labour Market Information with Clients (Y/502/8440).
Competence and knowledge is combined within the units of this qualification. Credits for competence and knowledge have been apportioned for each unit, depending on the proportion of competence and knowledge learning outcomes they contain. Based on this apportionment, the 5 mandatory units provide 10 competence credits and 20 knowledge credits, thereby meeting the minimum requirements for an apprenticeship. The apportionment of credits within the mandatory units is as follows:
- Career Choice Theories and Concepts to Support Clients (A/502/8401) - 0 competence credits and 6 knowledge credits;
- Interview Clients to Determine their Need for Career Information, Advice and Guidance (J/502/8417) - 3 competence credits and 3 knowledge credits;
- Meeting the Career-Related Information Needs of Clients (L/502/8418) - 4 competence credits and 2 knowledge credits;
- Preparing to Work in the Career Information, Advice and Guidance Sector (F/601/4882) - 0 competence credits and 6 knowledge credits; and
- Reflecting on Practice and Continuous Professional Development (R/601/4885) - 3 competence credits and 3 knowledge credits.
The remaining competence and knowledge credits are achieved by completing the appropriate number and combination of optional units.
Competence and knowledge must be assessed separately.