Why does the qualification include portfolio work?

When we learn, we go through four stages, or areas, of competence. A 'competence' is the ability to perform tasks or apply skills to a required standard. Your learning develops and you move through the stages until you reach a state of unconscious competence. The work you do on your Key Skills course takes you through these stages. You find out about a skill you weren't aware of; you become aware of the skill and realise you don't have it; you learn the skill, then you use it without thinking.

What are the four areas of competence?

When you've completed your portfolio work, it's a good idea to discuss your unconscious competences with other students. This will make you more aware of how much you've gained from the portfolio work. You could make a list of the things you've learnt and compare it to those of your friends.

Go to the next screen to find out how to start putting your portfolio together.