Rural Skills Intermediate 1 (SCQF level 4)

Contact the Qualifications Manager for this subject area 
Anne Boyd 

Structure of the Course

• Mandatory Units
• Optional Units
• Summary of Course content
• Summary of content Unit by Unit
• Approaches to assessment
• Learning and teaching materials
• Placements, visits, work experience
• Resource requirements
• Progression
• Conditions and Arrangements
• Information for Skills for Work pilot centres
• Arrangements documents

This Course is at Intermediate 1 and has three mandatory Units (two of 40 hours and one of 20 hours) and two optional Units (one of 40 hours and one of 20 hours).

Mandatory Units:

Optional Units:

or

Candidates choose one of the above optional routes.

Summary of content Unit by Unit:

• Land-based Industries: an introduction
  Candidates will be given the opportunity to investigate the nature of some of the very diverse industries of the land-based industries and also to examine some of the job opportunities of the sector.
• Estate Maintenance: an introduction
  Candidates will become familiar with a range of hand tools and be given an opportunity to participate in a range of 'handyman tasks' which are common to many of the land based industries from plumbing repairs to fence repairs.
• Employability Skills in the Land-based Industries
  Candidates will be given the opportunity to develop some of the employability skills considered important in the land-based sector such as good time-keeping, attendance, good team working and safety awareness. Evidence for this unit should be generated through practical activities carried out in the rest of the course.
• Animal Husbandry: an introduction
  Candidates who choose the animal route will be given the opportunity to learn the skills for some of the basic tasks of maintaining the health and well-being of one species of animal (eg horses, sheep, cattle, game birds, dogs etc.) in a simulated commercial or a commercial setting.
• Animal Handling: an introduction
  Candidates who choose the animal route will be given the opportunity to learn the basic skills of handling and restraining one species of animal in a commercial or simulated commercial setting.
• Crop Production: an introduction
  Candidates who choose the plant route will be given the opportunity to learn the basic skills required to produce a crop from seed to harvest. This Unit can be delivered in the context of horticulture (both edible and non-edible), agriculture, or tree nurseries for forestry.
• Soft Landscaping: an introduction
  Candidates who choose the plant route will be given the opportunity to learn the basic skills of caring for plants including weed control, pest control, fertilising and pruning. This Unit can be delivered in the context of countryside or estate management, or landscape horticulture

Approaches to assessment

Assessment in this Course will be based mainly on a range of practical activities, in real or simulated commercial settings supported by tutor observation checklists, together with candidate self-assessment checks and question sheets to confirm the knowledge and understanding of the tasks that they have carried out.  However, the use of portfolio evidence and the use of case studies is used for the Land-based Industries: an Introduction Unit.

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

Learning and teaching materials

Learning and teaching packs have been produced for each Unit, in partnership with the Scottish Further Education Unit (SFEU). These can be accessed via the SFEU website.

The pack will consist of: 

• tutor guidance on approaches to the delivery of the whole Course
• student resources including handouts, activities and useful electronic resources for each Unit
• teacher/lecturer resources and guidance for each Unit. Note that the learning materials for the animal and plant Units are available in various contexts to allow the Centre to adapt their delivery for their own particular circumstances

Placements, visits, work experience

Due to health and safety as well as insurance issues, it is not anticipated that work placements will be possible for candidates taking this Course. However, partnership agreements with specialised FE Colleges, training providers or employers will enable candidates to carry out the wide range of practical activities required in the Course in a simulated commercial environment. It is anticipated that the centre will visit at least one operational land-based industry for the introductory Unit. There may be the opportunity for candidates to work shadow.

Resource requirements

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be essential for all candidates and may vary according to the route and context chosen. However, this is likely to include Wellington boots, overalls, waterproof trousers, waterproof jacket and gloves. In some circumstances face masks and ear defenders may be necessary. (This list of PPE is not intended to be exhaustive and centres should carry out risk assessments for all activities as required)

The Estate Maintenance Unit will require a selection of basic hand tools, fences, simple plumbing and drainage equipment, basic painting equipment, spades, shovels and basic horticultural equipment.

The Introductory Unit is likely to require Internet access, classroom facilities and any PPE deemed necessary for visits undertaken.

The animal Units will require access to a group of one or more type of animals kept in a commercial or simulated commercial setting from the following categories: horses, sheep, cattle, pigs, poultry, game birds, small 'cage' companion mammals, dogs, cats, farmed fish. There must be suitable handling and housing facilities for these animals.

The plant Units will require access to crops and the necessary equipment for their production and husbandry either in an agricultural, horticultural or forestry context.

Progression

• Scottish Progression Award in Rural Skills at Intermediate 2
• SVQs/ NVQs in Appropriate Land-based sector vocational areas
• Programmes in Further Education Colleges
• Other suitable training or employment

Conditions and Arrangements

• Download the Conditions and Arrangements for Rural Skills 

Information for Skills for Work pilot centres 
Rural Skills Intermediate 1

Centres delivering the Rural Skills Intermediate 1 Course as part of the Skills for Work pilot in 2006/7 should note the following:

• the Rural Skills Intermediate 1 Course will remain unchanged for session 2007/8. If feedback from centres indicates a need for revision, any necessary revisions will be made for session 2008/9.

Arrangements documents valid from 2007/8