Intent

The rationale for BTEC First in Public Services is to inspire and enthuse students to consider a career in the public service sector. It provides students with the opportunity to gain a broad knowledge and understanding of, and develop skills in, the public service sector and can support progression into a more specialised Level 3 vocational or academic course or into an apprenticeship.

The specific aims of the Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Public Services are to enable students to develop a broad and comprehensive understanding of the public service sector.

Implementation

Students study two core units within the qualification which ensures that all students will develop the knowledge that underpins learning in other units in the qualification. They will study:

Unit 1: The Role and Work of the Public Services

Unit 2: Working Skills in the Public Service Sector.

Optional specialist units provides flexibility to tailor the programme to the local area and gives students the opportunity to pursue more specialist interests. These units may be selected to extend knowledge and understanding developed in core units, as well as deepening and enhancing the practical application of vocational skills and develop general work-related skills. The further optional units that can be studied are:

Unit 3: Employment in the Public Services, students look at a range of different public services, their role and purpose, the various job opportunities available, conditions of the service, and the application and selection processes for various public services.

Unit 4: Public Services and Community Protection, students explore the key organisations involved in the protection of communities, gain an understanding of the hazards and risks posed to individuals and communities, and how the public services deal with them

 Unit 5: Health, Fitness and Lifestyle for the Public Services, students will gain an understanding of the basic nutrition and lifestyle choices needed to ensure their own personal fitness, and how this could be used to meet the various health and fitness requirements in the public services.

Impact

The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Public Services provides the knowledge, understanding and skills for Level 2 students to progress to other Level 2 or Level 3 vocational qualifications, specifically the Pearson BTEC Level 3 in Public Services. It gives students the potential opportunity, in due course, to enter employment within a wide range of junior job roles across the public service sector, for example entry level jobs within the armed services or non-uniformed services as well as to provide opportunities for the development of transferable skills related to study and vocational application that provide a platform for success both within the public services and elsewhere. The specific aims of the Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Public Services are to enable students to develop a broad and comprehensive understanding of the public service sector.