Dorset Wellbeing registers with AQA Unit Award Scheme
From servicing a vehicle to constructing a timber frame, practical learning involves developing a range of individual skills. At Dorset Wellbeing, we can now formally recognise these achievements through the AQA Unit Award Scheme (UAS), which we have recently introduced to our Pathways to Adulthood programme.
Our first certificates have already been awarded to young people participating in motor mechanics, building and construction and woodwork activities.
What is the AQA Unit Award Scheme?
The Unit Award Scheme is a flexible programme developed by AQA, one of the UK's leading awarding bodies, to recognise individual achievements in learning for young people of all levels.
Rather than working towards a single examination or final assessment, learners complete individual units, each with clearly defined learning outcomes. Once these have been successfully demonstrated, AQA issues a certificate detailing the knowledge, skills and experience gained.
Certificates can be accumulated over time, creating a portfolio that provides a record of each young person's learning and practical achievements.
Although UAS is not a formal qualification in itself, it provides documented recognition of completed learning and can complement other vocational qualifications.
Building on our existing Pathways to Adulthood programme
Our Pathways to Adulthood programme is Dorset Wellbeing's bespoke approach to Preparation for Adulthood (PfA), providing young people aged 16+ with opportunities to develop practical skills and experience in vocational settings.
The introduction of UAS allows us to build formal recognition into activities that are already taking place across our workshops.
In Motor Ready, young people work with real vehicles, developing their understanding of mechanical systems, workshop procedures and basic maintenance. Our building and construction activities introduce practical techniques, tools, materials and safe working practices, while woodwork provides opportunities to develop skills through the planning and construction of individual projects.
The flexibility of the Unit Award Scheme means that relevant units can be selected to reflect these different activities, with evidence gathered through practical work and demonstrations of the required skills.
Importantly, this allows us to incorporate certification into our existing provision, rather than requiring young people to follow an additional, separate course.
Providing a record of practical achievement
For young people attending alternative provision, learning pathways can differ considerably according to their interests, previous experience and individual requirements.
One of the principal benefits of UAS is that achievements can be recognised individually, without requiring every learner to work towards the same qualification or complete a programme within a fixed timeframe.
Each certificate identifies specific learning outcomes, making it possible to demonstrate what a young person has learned, rather than simply recording their participation in a course.
This can provide useful supporting evidence when progressing into further education, vocational training, work experience or employment. Certificates can be included in personal portfolios and CVs, alongside other training and qualifications.
The scheme also complements the wider range of opportunities available through Pathways to Adulthood, including our AIM Employability and Development qualifications and industry-recognised LANTRA training.
As we continue to develop UAS across our practical programmes, young people will have further opportunities to build a documented record of their skills, reflecting the activities and projects they complete during their time with Dorset Wellbeing.
