PC PASSPORT
Introduction
What is PC Passport? PC Passport is a new suite of Qualifications awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). It is equivalent to the ECDL qualification. What is ECDL? It stands for the European Computing Driving Licence.
The scheme is designed for students, employees and anybody else who wishes to gain new computer skills or improve their existing knowledge base. The PC Passport is made up of National Units, and will be recognised by employers, training providers and admissions staff. It's a Scottish Progression Award and one of the first UK qualifications to be based on the IT User Framework created by the E-Skills Sector Skills Council which means it is relevant to the workplace
Experienced and qualified trainers deliver the PC Passport qualification in-house. This reduces the amount of time staff have to be away from their normal work. Many of the assessments can also be combined with existing work.
Key Features
Simple structure
Inexpensive
Includes IT Core Skills
Simple assessment
Exercise and Workbooks supplied
Booklets and CD provided
Software independent (Mac or PC)
Hardware independent (basic computer required)
Students can undertake qualifications from any level.
Although a Group Award will only be awarded when a student passes all the units in the level it is possible to work towards units from different levels. For example a student competent in Word Processing but with no experience of Spreadsheets may work toward Word Processing Intermediate and Spreadsheets Beginner.
This ensures students fulfil their potential and can target their study at a level appropriate to their current skill base.
Course Structure
Beginner Level
The PC Passport Beginner Units are aimed at the complete novice. No prior experience is required for this level and the Units are geared to introducing all the key skills required not only to use the software but to understand how the computer itself operates.
The Units required for the Beginner Group Award are:
Internet
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Intermediate Level
he PC Passport Intermediate Units are aimed at competent PC users who wish to develop their skills within previously used software packages or gain an insight into a new one.
The Units required for the Intermediate Group Award are:
Internet
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Presentations
Advanced Level
The PC Passport Advanced Units are aimed at those who are already comfortable with using various software packages and aims to further develop their skills and knowledge base.
The Units required for the Advanced Group Award are:
Internet
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Presentations
Databases
Training
Each candidate is provided with both a Workbook and Exercise Book for each Unit enrolled for. These can be a spiral bound book or if preferred a CD-Rom. A Folio for tracking your progress and storing completed course work can also be provided.
The best training for Information Technology is practical based so the Workbooks take you through a series of progressive exercises geared to increase your knowledge in a step-by-step fashion. In order to practice the skills gained through this process you can undertake the Exercises provided in the Exercise Book. Also provided will be all the relevant sample documents and files which help enable the Exercises to be as close to real life situations as possible.
Units can be mixed and matched allowing for example the study of Advanced word processing at the same time as Beginner Internet.
Assessment
Each Unit has a separate series of assessments. In order to gain the Award at Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced the candidate must pass the Units outlined in the Course Structure.
Success at a higher Unit level will count as a pass at lower levels, for example if a candidate sits Advanced Internet and Beginner Word Processing and Spreadsheets they will be awarded the Beginner Award without being required to also do the Beginner Internet Award.
This allows you to study for each unit at a level commensurate with your existing skill level, and as part of our induction process we will assist you to determine the most suitable levels.
The Assessment process comprises a mix of Practical Exercises and Multiple Choice papers which must be assessed by a qualified trainer. The completed Assessments will be stored in a Portfolio.
Alasdair Meldrum is founder and director of Albion Environmental Ltd. Specialising in providing training and consultancy services to to waste management and environment industry across the UK.
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