BTEC First Business Pathway 1 & 2

Business makes the world go round. It creates wealth. Economies depend on it. And the profits that businesses make finance the public services. The UK, in particular, has a strong enterprise culture – and young people play a key role in this. In the last year, around 70,000 young people started new businesses in England and Wales.

A BTEC First in Business is a practical, work-related course. Students learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands.

This course introduces learners to particular areas of employment and provides a good basis to go on to a more advanced qualification.

The course is offered in the options as a FIRST CERTIFICATE worth 2 GCSE equivalent and as a First Diploma worth 4 GCSE equivalent.

A BTEC First Certificate is delivered over three lessons per week, the Diploma over six lessons per week.

To achieve a BTEC First qualification you will study a variety of units over years 10 and 11 including:

• Business Purpose
• Business Organisations
• Financial Forecasting
• People in Business
• Business Online
• The Marketing Plan

Students are assessed in a variety of ways, for example written reports, presentations, group tasks and media production such as short videos.

Throughout the course students are encouraged to take part in business related extra curricular activities such as Young Enterprise and other national challenges.

BTEC students have visited the a number of businesses in the area. Such as The Deep, Meadow hall, The KC Stadium and Kingston Communications, London and Alton Towers.

The nature of the course leads to an industrious and enjoyable atmosphere. Excellent attendance is required in order to be able to complete the assignment tasks.

All units are assessed and graded by teachers. An overall grade for the qualification is awarded to all learners who successfully complete all units. Grades awarded are Pass, Merit or Distinction.

By following the BTEC Business course students will develop enterprise skills such as:

• Team Work
• Risk
• Negotiating & Influencing
• Effective communication
• Creativity & innovation
• ‘Can-do’ attitude
• Initiative
• Organising & planning
• Problem solving
• Leadership
• Making ethical decisions
• Financial capability
• Product & service design

Travel & Tourism BTEC Pathway 1 & 2

The growth of jobs in the travel and tourism industries makes this course especially attractive to anyone with an interest in leisure, recreation, travel or tourism.

A BTEC in Travel and Tourism can open the doors to further education and the world of work. The skills you acquire will provide a good grounding to go on and study more specialised areas at a higher level, or you could obtain training at a company within the industry and study for NVQs.

Core Units include:

• The UK Travel & Tourism Sector
• Understanding Customer Service
• Understanding Nature and Effects of World Tourism

Other units include Exploring Airlines and Airports, UK, European and Worldwide Destinations.

Previous BTEC students have visited Magna, Pizza Hut, and Travel care, London and York.

This BTEC is assessed through different assignments including designing poster and leaflets. The coursework is related to activities carried out in the real world so this course gives you practical skills that are really useful. For example you will be involved in letter and report writing, telephoning, interviewing, organising and researching including using the Internet. The content of the course means it is especially suitable for steady workers with good attendance.

BTEC diploma, which is worth 4 GCSEs, is graded from A*A* to DD.

How can I find out more?

Ask your careers teacher or adviser or your local college for more information or see the Edexcel website – www.edexcel.org.uk

Students who follow the BTEC Travel & Tourism will get the opportunity to develop enterprise skills such as:

• Team Work
• Risk
• Negotiating & Influencing
• Effective communication
• Creativity & innovation
• ‘Can-do’ attitude
• Initiative
• Organising & planning
• Problem solving
• Leadership
• Making ethical decisions
• Financial capability
• Product & service design