Skills for Work: Uniformed and Emergency Services National 4 (SCQF level 4)

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

The Course introduces candidates to the uniformed and emergency services: the Army, Merchant Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Royal Marines; and the Ambulance Service, Coastguard, Fire and Rescue and Police. The Course includes investigating the different uniformed and emergency services, and the roles and responsibilities of those working in a specific service team. Candidates will also investigate career opportunities in the uniformed and emergency services.

Central to the Course is developing the employability skills that are valued by employers in the uniformed and emergency services. These skills are embedded in all four Units. Candidates will have the opportunity to develop their employability skills through practical activities in real or simulated working environments, investigations and team-working activities. Candidates will also be involved in self-evaluation of these skills, seeking feedback from others about their skills and identifying areas of improvement whilst taking account of the feedback received.

Health, safety, fitness and wellbeing are important aspects when working in the uniformed and emergency services, and candidates will explore these aspects and participate in physical fitness practical activities. They will be introduced to the process of carrying out assessment of risk, and will investigate the skills required to assist others, such as communicating effectively.

Effective team-working is an essential element of working in uniformed and emergency services settings. Candidates will investigate the benefits of team-working, and the qualities of effective leadership and followership will be explored. External factors that may affect a team will be investigated. Candidates will also be given the opportunity to work as a member of a team to plan and carry out a task.

The Units of the Course have been designed to be delivered in an integrated way, and guidance on a suggested teaching pattern is given in the Course Specification.

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

Qualification structure

Group Award code C251 74 (24 SCQF credit points)

The Skills for Work Course in Uniformed and Emergency Services at SCQF level 4 consists of four mandatory Units.

For further information on the structure and units of this qualification please refer to the Course Specification document (302 KB).

Unit search

How to assess

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.

Uniformed and Emergency Services: An Introduction

This Unit will be assessed through an investigation; performance evidence of participation in practical activities and candidate reviews of their employability skills.

Uniformed and Emergency Services: Health, Safety, Fitness and Well-being

This Unit will be assessed by means of an open book assessment; performance evidence generated by participation in practical activities and a simulated risk assessment.

Uniformed and Emergency Services: Engaging with the Community

This Unit will be assessed through an investigation; an open book assessment and performance evidence generated by interviewing a member of the local community.

Uniformed and Emergency Services: Working in Teams

This Unit will be assessed through an investigation; performance evidence generated by participation in practical team activities and a candidate review of his/her team-working skills.

Each Unit will be supported by a National Assessment Bank (NAB) item which will provide an assessment package which exemplifies the national standard.

Qualification Verification Summary Report

Deliver this qualification

Resources

Presentations and handouts from Uniformed and Emergency Services event:

Why study this qualification

The relevant uniformed services for this Course are: the Army, Merchant Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The relevant emergency services for this Course are: the Ambulance Service, Coastguard, Fire and Rescue and Police.

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 Emergency Services
  • 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 learners may progress to:

  • Further education
  • vocational training and employment

Qualification structure

Group Award code C251 74 (24 SCQF credit points)

The Skills for Work Course in Uniformed and Emergency Services at SCQF level 4 consists of four mandatory Units.

For further information on the structure and units of this qualification please refer to the Course Specification document (302 KB).

Unit search