NPA Administrative Activities SCQF level 4

The NPA in Administrative Activities at SCQF level 4 has been designed to provide learners with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge of the administrative systems and services that are essential to the effective working of a modern office, at junior level. It will also allow progression to further academic qualifications.

The NPA will also allow learners to have 'hands on' experience of key pieces of office equipment, develop communication skills with internal and external customers, and improve their skills in locating, retrieving information and developing IT skills to present information.

The structure and Unit content provide a vocational and relevant curriculum that promotes articulation and transition into further and higher education. It does this whilst also supporting skills for industry and future employment, including the soft skills demanded by employers.

Qualification structure

Group Award Code: GF4K 44

The National Progression Award in Administrative Activities and Technologies consist of 4 mandatory units and 2 optional units at SCQF level 4.

 NPA Administrative Activities level 4 (264 KB)

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How to assess

Assessment Support Packs are available for all four Units. This will reinforce the practical aspect of the Unit specification, as well as setting a common standard across centres. 

Assessment Support Packs have a critical role in ensuring that delivery of Units is linked to administration and admin-related situations, allowing for integration of delivery and assessment where possible. An example could be that a topic for the Administrative Activities assessment could be used in the unit Produce Business Documents Unit.

The NPA Administrative Activities at SCQF level 4 contains six essential Units. These Units make up the four credits learners need to gain the NPA in Administrative Activities at SCQF level 4.

These essential Units are designed to:

  • Give learners an insight into administration.
  • Enable learners to consider the various options open to them and to make informed career choices for their future.
  • Prepare them for entry into further qualifications, eg into an NC at SCQF Level 5 Administration, SVQ Business Administration level 1 or 2.
  • Provide them with specific administrative skills and the transferable skills demanded by employers.
  • Provide them with the opportunity to develop core skills for administration-related occupations and for further study in administration subjects.
  • Provide them with the opportunity to develop a range of other skills which they will be able to use in many life, learning and work situations.

The Units will provide learners with skills in the following areas:

  • Skills and knowledge for working in  the administrative sector
  • Customer service practices
  • Working safely
  • Organisational skills
  • Employability skills
  • Research skills
  • Positive attitude to workplace and learning
  • The importance of time-keeping and attendance
  • The importance of creating accurate content for business documentation
  • The importance of information technology
  • The importance of keeping up-to-date with technology
  • The importance of good verbal communication
  • The importance of good listening skills
  • How to work co-operatively with others as a member of a team
  • Self-respect and showing respect and consideration for others
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Application of appropriate legislation, eg health and safety
  • Planning and Preparing
  • Confidence to seek feedback
  • Confidence to give feedback
  • Personal target-setting and review

For some Units, learners may be able to relate what they are learning to other subjects they have studied, their work experience, or simply their own ideas about the subject if they have previously studied it in school or worked in the administrative sector.

Deliver this qualification

Why study this qualification

The NPA in Administrative Activities has been designed to fill a gap in provision at SCQF level 4. This gap has been identified by informal scoping carried out by centres represented on the Qualification Development Team (QDT). For example, some learners applying for SCQF level 5 courses did not have suitable entry qualifications; others accepted on to an SCQF level 5 course struggled with elements of it. The QDT identified four main client groups for the NPA:

  • young people who may still be at or have left school recently
  • mature 'adult returners' who have decided to re-enter education
  • potential candidates whose first language is not English
  • employers wanting short CPD course for their employees

Access

Entry will be at the discretion of the centre. Some centres may offer Core Skill Profiling to ensure the course is appropriate to the learner's capability. Individual Unit specifications provide guidance on recommended entry requirements.

Employment and progression

Learners undertaking and successfully completing the NPA in Administrative Activities at SCQF level 4 could progress onto SCQF level 5 units — for example Administrative Services DM3P 11, IT for Administrators DM3R 11, and Word Processing 4 D932 11.

Learners could also progress to the NPA in in Administration: Office Skills and Services at SCQF level 5 and NC in Administration at SCQF level 5. If they obtain employment in the administrative sector, they may also have an opportunity to undertake SVQ level 2 in Business Administration.

Qualification structure

Group Award Code: GF4K 44

The National Progression Award in Administrative Activities and Technologies consist of 4 mandatory units and 2 optional units at SCQF level 4.

 NPA Administrative Activities level 4 (264 KB)

Unit search