There is a widely-recognised gap in the BTEC Framework of qualifications at this level.  The BTEC Level 1 qualifications will offer learners:

• an initial step into vocationally-related education; and
• an important progression route from Entry and other Level 1 qualifications onto Level 2 and/or into work.

Our research and consultation have consistently revealed high demand in centres for a BTEC qualification at Level 1.

The overall aims are:

• to meet the needs and aspirations of all learners and to raise the level of achievement in individuals;
• to increase participation and retention in post-16 education and training, and to overcome social exclusion;
• to broaden the skills of individuals and to improve their employability;
• to support the lifelong learning agenda and widening participation; and
• to support the skills needs of specific employment sectors.

The qualification model aims:

• to allow exploration of a vocational sector and investigation of vocational skills; and
• to encourage learners to develop confidence in their ability to work, learn and achieve through the Personal Skills units.

The qualification model is composed of 2 qualifications:

• BTEC Introductory Diploma – 360 guided learning hours (GLH) – 8 units (4 x 60 hours; 4 x 30 hours); and
• BTEC Introductory Certificate – 180 guided learning hours (GLH) – 4 units (2 x 60 hours; 2 x 30 hours).

This model offers choice and flexibility by offering a qualification size appropriate to the needs of an individual learner.

The smaller BTEC Introductory Certificate will encourage access and also introduce the learner to skills in their chosen sector while developing essential life skills and key skills.  The larger BTEC Introductory Diploma offers depth and breadth and further essential life skills.  The Certificate is nested within the Diploma.  Both qualifications offer progression within Level 1 or lead to further study/training at Level 2.

There is also the possibility of horizontal progression between Certificates.

There are many modes of delivery.

Schools may wish to integrate either a BTEC Introductory Certificate or Diploma into their curriculum over the 2 years of Key Stage 4.

Colleges may wish to offer these qualifications as part of a full-time 1-year course or as an intensive “taster” or “starter” course for learners before embarking on other level 2 qualifications.

These qualifications may also be used with the post-16 learner through part time / evening classes or block release.

The units required for the BTEC Introductory Certificate in a particular sector are a subset of those required for the Introductory Diploma.  This will allow centres opportunity to offer a Certificate course, in the first instance, with the provision to offer the additional units required for the Diploma subsequently.

Other delivery models can be found within the guidance documents.

The importance of personal skills is marked by including 2 x 30-hour personal skills units in the BTEC Introductory Diploma and 1 x 30-hour personal skills unit in the BTEC Introductory Certificate.  Opportunities for key skills and Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy will be signposted within each unit of each specification.

The key features of the BTEC qualifications are integral to the BTEC Introductory Diploma and Introductory Certificate.  Applied learning and assessment will take place in work-related contexts and will encourage learners to develop confidence in their ability to work, learn and achieve.  Employability skills will be encouraged.  The learning outcomes reflect the associated National Occupational Standards, where relevant, but demonstration of competence in the NOS is not required.  BTEC qualifications are mode-free and can be delivered across a range of providers.

Work placements can be incorporated into the qualifications but will not be a mandatory requirement.

The primary aim of the assessment of the BTEC Introductory Certificate and Diploma is to allow the learner to demonstrate achievement.  Units will be in outcome format and will be assessed using a criterion-referenced approach.  All units contributing to the qualification, or being studied as single units, will be either internally or externally assessed.  All units, except for the Personal Skills units, will be individually graded as 'pass', 'merit' or 'distinction' and will contain contextualised-grading criteria for the three grades.  Personal Skills units will be graded at 'pass' only and will contain grading criteria for the pass grade.  Whilst there will be guidance on how units may be delivered and assessed, centres will have flexibility in designing the assessment instrument for each internally-assessed unit to take account of local factors.

For the BTEC Introductory Diploma, 2 x 30-hour compulsory core units:

• Unit 1 ‘Starting Work In…’; and
• Unit 2 ‘Working In…’.

For the BTEC Introductory Certificate, 1 x 30-hour compulsory core unit:

• Unit 1 ‘Starting Work In…’ (the same Unit 1 as in the Diploma).

Copies of the specifications can be downloaded from the Edexcel website under "Qualifications" / "BTEC Introductory".  They can also be ordered from our Publications department:

Edexcel Publications
Adamsway
Mansfield
Nottinghamshire NG18 4FN

Tel: 01623 467 467
Fax: 01623 450 481
Email: publications@linneydirect.com

The BTEC Introductory Certificate is nested in the Diploma.  So, a learner progressing from the Certificate to the Diploma will need to achieve only the extra Diploma units to obtain the full Diploma.