Workskills Curriculum Statement 2025
Intent
Overview of BTEC Workskills Level 1
BTEC Workskills Level 1 is a suite of vocational qualifications developed by Pearson, first introduced for teaching from August 2021, with the latest updates as of May 2025. Aimed at learners aged 14 and above, including those in full-time education, part-time programs, or adult learning, it focuses on building foundational employability and workplace skills through practical, scenario-based activities. The qualifications are designed to be flexible and relevant, helping individuals explore job opportunities, develop personal growth, and prepare for employment or further education.
Available in four sizes based on Guided Learning Hours (GLH) and Total Qualification Time (TQT):
Subsidiary Award: 35 GLH (TQT 35) – A short, bite-sized program to address specific skill gaps.
Award: 70 GLH (TQT 70) – Suitable for part-time learning, focusing on areas like job applications and interviews.
Extended Award: 105 GLH (TQT 105) – Builds broader workplace understanding, ideal for full-time study.
Certificate: 210 GLH (TQT 210) – A comprehensive option for developing a wide range of employability skills.
Assessment is internal and portfolio-based, with a simple Pass/Fail grading. No prior qualifications are required, making it accessible for diverse learners, including those at risk of disengagement or needing support for progression to Level 2 qualifications or jobs. The program emphasizes real-world application, incorporating literacy, numeracy, digital skills, health and safety, teamwork, customer service, problem-solving, sustainability, and enterprise activities.
Detailed Subject Intent Statement
The curriculum intent for BTEC Workskills Level 1 is to provide a purposeful, inclusive pathway that empowers learners to develop the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for successful entry into the modern workforce or further vocational training. Rooted in employability needs, the qualification addresses the challenges faced by young and adult learners, such as low confidence, skill gaps, or limited workplace exposure, by fostering practical competencies that align with employer demands in a rapidly evolving job market.
At its core, the intent is to promote personal growth and self-awareness, enabling learners to identify their strengths, interests, and career aspirations while building resilience and adaptability. Through scenario-based learning—such as group discussions, role-plays, research tasks, and practical workshops—the program cultivates key 21st-century skills, including:
Employability and Workplace Readiness: Enhancing abilities in job searching, interview techniques, teamwork, customer service, and problem-solving to make learners job-ready.
Personal and Social Development: Boosting engagement in learning, confidence, and interpersonal skills, with a focus on rights, responsibilities, equality, diversity, and inclusion in professional settings.
Core Functional Skills: Integrating literacy (e.g., reading work instructions), numeracy (e.g., basic calculations for tasks), and digital literacy (e.g., using IT for research and presentations) to support everyday workplace functions.
Sustainability and Environmental Awareness: Encouraging responsible practices through concepts like the 4Rs (Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover) and the eight doorways of sustainability, preparing learners for eco-conscious industries.
Enterprise and Innovation: Guiding learners to plan, deliver, and evaluate enterprise projects, developing entrepreneurial mindsets, risk-taking, and performance reflection.
This intent ensures progression opportunities, such as advancing to Level 2 Workskills, other BTEC qualifications, apprenticeships, or direct employment, while supporting broader societal goals like reducing unemployment and promoting lifelong learning. The flexible structure allows customization to individual needs, making it particularly valuable for learners in alternative education provisions, those with special educational needs, or adults re-entering the workforce. Ultimately, BTEC Workskills Level 1 aims to create equitable access to opportunities, equipping all participants with the tools to thrive in diverse, inclusive workplaces and contribute positively to their communities.