Skills for Work: Maritime Skills National 5 (SCQF level 5)

National 5 Skills for Work: Maritime Skills is an introductory qualification. It develops the skills, knowledge and attitudes, needed for work in the industry.

The Course provides a broad experiential introduction to maritime skills.

Candidates will explore a variety and range of career opportunities — local, national and global — in the maritime sector, including commercial sea-fishing, the Royal Navy, the Merchant Navy, inland waterways and marine leisure, ports and harbours.

They will be introduced to the operation of boats and equipment in the Unit Maritime Skills: Seamanship: an Introduction (National 5), including: boat handling, the use of ropes, wires and chains and effective anchoring, mooring and securing a vessel are tackled in practical situations. There’s an introduction to marine navigation, where candidates learn how to use a marine chart to plot position using standard marine instruments, and how to take account of the weather.

The safety aspects of any job in the maritime sector are tackled in the Unit Health and Safety in the Maritime Sector (National 5), including: safe working practices on board ship, life-saving principles, basic first aid and basic fire safety. The Unit also covers the basic engineering involved with small boats, such as pumping and steering mechanism are reviewed and the routine care and maintenance of the engine and auxiliaries on a boat.

Central to the Course is developing the employability skills valued by employers in general and necessary for effective work in the maritime sector. These skills are embedded in the different Units, providing candidates with the opportunity to practice and develop these skills through practical and team-working activities in real or simulated working environments and investigations throughout the Course. Candidates will also evaluate their own skills, seeking feedback from others, identifying areas of improvement, taking account of feedback received and reviewing their progress throughout the Course.

At SCQF level 5, learners work alone or with others on straightforward tasks with support.

Qualification structure

Group Award code C269 75 (24 SCQF credit points)

The Skills for Work Course in Maritime Skills at SCQF level 5 consists of five mandatory Units.

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

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How to assess

The Course will be assessed with a combination of written and/or oral and performance evidence.

The evidence will be produced at appropriate points throughout the Course and gathered in a folio of evidence.

Each Unit is supported by a National Assessment Bank (NAB) item, which provides an assessment package and exemplifies the national standard.

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

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

  • pupils from 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 Maritime Skills
  • 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
  • employment

Qualification structure

Group Award code C269 75 (24 SCQF credit points)

The Skills for Work Course in Maritime Skills at SCQF level 5 consists of five mandatory Units.

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

Unit search