City & Guilds does not set entry requirements for this qualification. However, centres must ensure that candidates have the potential and opportunity to gain the qualification successfully.
Learners will be assessed by a variety of methods depending on the whether the units undertaken are practical or knowledge based and they must complete real work activities in order to produce evidence to demonstrate they are occupationally competent. Some simulation is allowed (check handbook for specific units) when;
• a learner is required to complete a work activity that does not occur on a regular basis and therefore opportunities to complete a particular work activity do not easily arise
• a learner is required to respond to a situation that rarely occurs, such as responding to an emergency situation
• the safety of a learner, other individuals and/or resources will be put at risk.
When simulation is used, assessors must be confident that the simulation replicates the workplace to such an extent that learners will be able to fully transfer their occupational competence to the workplace and real situations. Assessment of real work or simulation must be to recognised standards.
On successfully achieving the qualification a learners could take on roles as:
• Database Administrators, Network Managers, Systems Analysts
• Internet/Web Professionals, IT Product Developers, Software Developer/Programmers, Multimedia Designers
• IT Trainers, IT Technical Sales Specialist
• Office Equipment Service Technicians, Telecommunications Technicians
Staff delivering this qualification must be able to demonstrate that they meet the following occupational expertise requirements:
• be occupationally knowledgeable in the area for which they are delivering training. This knowledge must be at least to the same level as the training being delivered.
• have credible experience of providing training
• have at least recent relevant experience in the specific area they will be assessing
• have any relevant qualifications required to deliver in the post 16 education market.
Centres can use specially designated areas within a centre to assess, for example, the installation of specialised systems, setting up of networks and operating systems). The equipment and systems must meet industrial standards and be capable of being used under normal working conditions.