Skills for Work: Sport and Recreation National 4 (SCQF level 4)

National 4 Skills for Work: Sport and Recreation is an introductory qualification. It develops the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for work in the industry.

The Course content covers the main practical activities involved in carrying out a support role in a sport and recreation environment — assisting with planning, setting up and delivering activity sessions; assisting with setting up, dismantling and checking equipment and resources; assisting with accident and emergency procedures; dealing effectively and courteously with customers/users, staff and others; helping to plan and review a personal training programme, establishing good practice in setting and reviewing personal goals. The Course content also covers Health and Safety legislation.

Candidates will have the opportunity to develop relevant vocational skills, and a variety of employability skills, in the context of a sport and recreation setting. Some of these skills could be looked upon as generic skills required in the wider workplace, while others are specific employability skills required for the recreation sector. The Course requires that candidates gain hands-on experience in an appropriate recreational setting, and it is important for centres to manage the Course in an integrated manner that reflects the day-to-day issues of a realistic sport and recreation environment.

The Skills for Work (SfW) Courses in Sport and Recreation covers the main practical activities involved in carrying out a support role in a sport and recreation environment, as well as health and safety legislation. Set at SCQF levels 4 and 5, the Courses give hands-on experience in an appropriate recreational setting.

At level 4, candidates will learn about:

  • assisting with planning, setting up and delivering activity sessions
  • dismantling and checking equipment and resources
  • assisting with accident and emergency procedures
  • dealing effectively and courteously with clients, staff and others
  • helping to plan and review a personal training programme
  • establishing good practice in setting and reviewing personal goals

At SCQF level 4, learners work alone or with others on straightforward tasks with support.

Qualification structure

Group Award code C219 74 (24 SCQF credit points)

The Skills for Work Course in Sport and Recreation at SCQF level 4 consists of five mandatory Units.

For further information on the structure and units of this qualification please refer to the Course Specification document (312 KB).

Unit search

How to assess

Each Unit is supported by a National Assessment Bank (NAB) item, which provides an assessment package and exemplifies the national standard. NABs are available to download from SQA's secure website.

Some employability skills are assessed as part of the essential evidence required for particular Units. Other employability skills are developed and encouraged but not formally assessed. Centres may wish to have regular reviews of the development of these skills with candidates. This could be done along with the formal review process required in some of the Units, for example the Skills for Employment Unit.

Units have been designed so that information can be gathered holistically where possible based mainly on a range of practical workshop activities. A variety of approaches are used for gathering evidence, reflecting on the variety of learning experiences offered across the Course. Observation checklists should be used, where appropriate, to gather evidence.

There is no external assessment for this Course. Learners must successfully complete each Unit to achieve the Course.

Unit specifications provide detailed information on the Evidence Requirements for each Unit. The Unit Support Notes provide information on approaches to assessment for each Unit.

The Units are internally assessed by centres and externally verified by SQA.

Qualification Verification Summary Report

Deliver this qualification

Why study this qualification

The Course is aimed at school candidates and adult returners. It teaches transferable skills which can open the way to a variety of courses, including the possibility of continued study. It gives an understanding of the workplace, and enhances skills and attitudes for employability.

This qualification is suitable for a wide range of learners, including:

  • pupils from mainstream schools or other education establishments
  • school leavers
  • adult returners to education
  • learners in employment who wish to enhance their career prospects
  • learners participating in 16+ programmes
  • college students wishing to develop their skills and knowledge in relation to Sport & Recreation
  • trainees participating in preparation for entering employment
  • individuals involved in voluntary activities

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre.

Employment and progression

Successful level 4 candidates can expect to progress to the level 5 Course or to other National Courses at level 5; Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in Sport and Recreation; further education; training; and employment.

Successful learners may progress to:

  • National 5 Sport and Recreation
  • National Progression Awards in Sports Coaching
  • National Certificate programmes in Further Education colleges
  • SVQs in Sport and Recreation
  • vocational training
  • employment

Qualification structure

Group Award code C219 74 (24 SCQF credit points)

The Skills for Work Course in Sport and Recreation at SCQF level 4 consists of five mandatory Units.

For further information on the structure and units of this qualification please refer to the Course Specification document (312 KB).

Unit search