The OCNLR Level 1 Award is a 9 – credit qualification. The course provides 3 credits from mandatory units and 6 credits from Vocational units in Group 1.

Course Description:

The OCNLR Level 1 Award and Certificate in Skills for Professions in Horticulture, Environmental and Animal Care have been designed to provide introductory vocational knowledge and skills, together with study skills and ‘green’ skills, to learners who wish to progress within the field of horticulture, environmental and animal care, but who may not yet be at a Level 2 standard. They are a useful introduction to learners exploring outdoor careers in these areas.

The OCNLR Level 1 Award in Skills for Professions in Horticulture, Environmental and Animal Care is a qualification for learners wishing to explore vocational study alongside learning skills. The size of the qualification makes it ideal for learners who are not yet ready to commit to a larger qualification.

Qualification Details

·      Qualification Number:                       603/6392/7

·      Qualification credit value:                  9

·      Operational start date:                       1st September 2020

·      Review date:                                       31st August 2025

·      Guided Learning Hours (GLH):            81 hours

·      Total Qualification Time (TQT):          90 hours

Assessment requirements: internally assessed, internally and externally moderated.

Purpose of Qualification:

Students will be able to

·      Progress to further study related to horticulture, environmental and animal care

·      Can work in these or related sectors.

Course Requirements:

·       14-19 years old in full-time study;

·       adults who wish to progress to higher level qualifications in horticulture, environmental and animal care,

·       currently employed in a role related to horticulture, environmental and animal care, and wish to progress;

·       currently not in employment and looking to improve their future career prospects.

Entry guidance

There are no specific entry requirements for these qualifications. The qualifications are suitable for learners of 14 and above. However, centres must determine the suitability of units when delivering the qualification to learners aged pre-16, particularly in relation to health and safety requirements.

Rules of Achievement:

The OCNLR Level 1 Award in Skills for Professions in Horticulture, Environmental and Animal Care comprises the choice of one study skills unit or a range of optional ‘green’ units, and a number of optional vocational units. Learners must achieve 9 credits in total:

·      3 credits from either the ‘Introduction to Study Skills’ unit OR 3 credits from the Group 3 ‘Green’ units;

·      6 credits from the vocational units in Group 1.

Assessment and Moderation:

·      Each activity must be marked against the identified assessment criteria in the unit and judged to be either achieved or not achieved.

·      Students’ work in their portfolio are evaluated and ensure the work is :

§  Authentic – it is the result of the learner’s own performance or activity;

§  Sufficient – enabling the tutor/assessor to make a consistent and reliable judgement;

§  Adequate – appropriate to the level.

·      The unit achievement is not graded. Units are either achieved or not achieved.

Access to Fair Assessment Policy and Procedures are employed to access.