NPA Engineering SCQF level 5
This National Progression Award (NPA) in Engineering at SCQF level 5 is suitable for learners considering employment within the Engineering and Shipbuilding sector and will equip them with the knowledge, skills and experiences employers want to see.
The NPA is suitable for:
- senior phase school pupils
- further education college students wishing to develop their skills and knowledge in engineering
- school leavers
- adults returning to education
- trainees preparing for employment
This qualification provides a foundation of knowledge, skills and experience about the engineering sector, based on employers’ requirements, in order to help learners to secure employment in it. In particular, it:
- develops skills and knowledge for employability and progression to the workforce
- enables learners to consolidate knowledge and skills to enhance career progression
- develops skills which are capable of being transferred to a wide range of employment in the engineering sectors
In order to provide awards that will enable learners to work at craft or technician levels in an engineering environment now or in the future, this qualification will:
- allow learners to progress to an NC or HNC/HND in an engineering or related subject or discipline
- allow learners to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in an area of engineering which relates directly to the title of the award the learner is studying
- allow learners a degree of specialisation in engineering relevant to the area of engineering covered by the award
- provide opportunities for learners to develop meta-skills to support the active development of professional practice and behaviours, and to give learners self-awareness and an understanding of how they can use meta-skills to increase and discuss their employability
Qualification structure
- Qualification structure (171 KB)
Group award code: GT70 45 (48 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level: 5
This National Progression Award consists of three mandatory units (18 SCQF credit points) and five optional units (30 SCQF credit points).
Mandatory units include:
- Engineering Work-based Challenge (J6JT 45)
- Understanding Industry (J1GS 44)
- Mathematics: Craft 1 (F3HV 11)
See the group award specification (778 KB) for the full list of mandatory and optional units.
The new NPA can be delivered by a range of different modes. For example, it may be delivered on a day-release, a block-release or an evening class basis to learners in employment. Alternatively, it may be delivered on a full-time basis to school leavers, adult returners, etc.
Lecturers may use a variety of teaching and learning approaches in delivering the units in the NPA. These may include lecturing, group work, laboratory exercises, practical work, computer simulation (using appropriate software packages), investigative work (including the use of the internet), project work and case studies. The use of open and distance learning and the provision of online materials may help to supplement and support the learning that takes place in the classroom, laboratory or workshop. Industrial visits are strongly recommended wherever possible to allow learners to see examples of engineering systems in operation and to observe the application of engineering principles and practices in real life engineering environments. Centres, working on their own or in partnership, might also wish to consider the following approaches to delivering the NPA:
- Developing paper-based and/or electronic assessment and teaching and learning materials for individual NQ units.
- Identifying and sharing good learning support materials available on the internet.
- Identifying various sources of information, including those found on the internet, to allow learners to undertake more in-depth investigations in given subject areas.
- Using e-mentoring arrangements to support learners who study at a distance.
- Centres should take account of information contained in the ‘recommended entry’ statement in NQ unit specifications in sequencing the delivery of units.
The practical units should be carried out predominantly in a workshop situation. Safety should be heavily emphasised in all its aspects, for example, correctly using and storing PPE, correctly using and storing tools and specialist equipment, filter glass grades, earthing, fumes and gases, etc.
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Resources
No specific equipment other than what would normally be expected of a fabrication and welding engineering department and workshop.
Where can you take this course?
Why study this qualification
Learners will develop skills and knowledge for employability and progression to work.
This qualification will enable learners to consolidate knowledge and skills to enhance
career progression. They will develop skills which can be transferred to a wide
range of employment areas in engineering sectors.
Access
Entry to this qualification is at the discretion of the centre. The following information on prior knowledge, skills, experience or qualifications that provide suitable preparation for this qualification has been provided by the Qualification Design Team as guidance only.
Learners would benefit from having attained the skills, knowledge and understanding required by one or more of the following or equivalent qualifications and/or experience:
- Mathematics at SCQF level 4 or level 5
- Physics at SCQF level 4 or level 5
- Technological Studies at SCQF level 4 or level 5
- Skills for Work Engineering at SCQF level 4 or level 5
Employment and progression
This award has been designed as a pre-apprenticeship qualification on the engineering career pathway and can provide progression from the SfW Engineering award. The award can lead directly onto an NC (at SCQF level 6) or allow learners, on successful completion of the NPA, to apply for employment within the engineering sector at apprentice level.
Qualification structure
- Qualification structure (171 KB)
Group award code: GT70 45 (48 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level: 5
This National Progression Award consists of three mandatory units (18 SCQF credit points) and five optional units (30 SCQF credit points).
Mandatory units include:
- Engineering Work-based Challenge (J6JT 45)
- Understanding Industry (J1GS 44)
- Mathematics: Craft 1 (F3HV 11)
See the group award specification (778 KB) for the full list of mandatory and optional units.
The new NPA can be delivered by a range of different modes. For example, it may be delivered on a day-release, a block-release or an evening class basis to learners in employment. Alternatively, it may be delivered on a full-time basis to school leavers, adult returners, etc.
Lecturers may use a variety of teaching and learning approaches in delivering the units in the NPA. These may include lecturing, group work, laboratory exercises, practical work, computer simulation (using appropriate software packages), investigative work (including the use of the internet), project work and case studies. The use of open and distance learning and the provision of online materials may help to supplement and support the learning that takes place in the classroom, laboratory or workshop. Industrial visits are strongly recommended wherever possible to allow learners to see examples of engineering systems in operation and to observe the application of engineering principles and practices in real life engineering environments. Centres, working on their own or in partnership, might also wish to consider the following approaches to delivering the NPA:
- Developing paper-based and/or electronic assessment and teaching and learning materials for individual NQ units.
- Identifying and sharing good learning support materials available on the internet.
- Identifying various sources of information, including those found on the internet, to allow learners to undertake more in-depth investigations in given subject areas.
- Using e-mentoring arrangements to support learners who study at a distance.
- Centres should take account of information contained in the ‘recommended entry’ statement in NQ unit specifications in sequencing the delivery of units.
The practical units should be carried out predominantly in a workshop situation. Safety should be heavily emphasised in all its aspects, for example, correctly using and storing PPE, correctly using and storing tools and specialist equipment, filter glass grades, earthing, fumes and gases, etc.