The vocational qualifications on offer at Greenbank College are work-related qualifications. They’re designed to allow people to learn in a flexible way and give them the skills that employers are looking for.

All vocational qualifications are grouped together in different Levels on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The Level shows how difficult each qualification is – at Greenbank College courses are offered from entry level up to Level 4.

Vocational qualification levels can be compared to other qualifications. Entry level qualifications build confidence and help people prepare for further learning and work. Level 2 qualifications are the equivalent of grades A* to C at GCSE and Level 3 qualifications are equivalent to A Levels.

When choosing a course it is important that learners enrol at the correct level.

The table below shows how the different qualifications compare:

The names of all the qualifications in the QCF are set out the same and indicate 3 things – how difficult it is, how long it takes and what it is about.

• The level – there are 9 levels, from entry to Level 8 (although at Greenbank College the highest level offered is Level 4).
• The size – showing how long it takes to complete. Every qualification in the QCF comes in 3 sizes – Award, Certificate or Diploma. An Award is made up of 1 to 12 credits (10 to 120 hours of learning).
• A Certificate is made up of 13 to 36 credits (130 to 360 hours of learning) and a Diploma is made up of 37 credits or more (370 or more hours of learning).
• Content – indicating what the qualification is about eg OCR Level 2 NVQ Award in Business and Administration. This is suitable for learners with less than 5 GCSEs at grade A* – C or an equivalent NVQ Level 1, is made up of a minimum of 9 credits in the subject of Business and Administration.

Correct at the time of upload (May 2011)

The Vocational areas on offer at Greenbank are:

Business Administration & Customer Services
Catering & Hospitality
Fashion & Textiles
Hairdressing
Information Technology
Sport and Exercise & Fitness
Sport – Higher Education