Qualification Structure

The NOCN Level 3 Award in Education and Training is a regulated Level 3 qualification designed to provide an introduction to working in the education and training sector. The qualification is a 12-credit programme with 48–61 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) and a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 120 hours. It includes mandatory and optional components covering key areas of teaching and training practice.

Assessment for the NOCN Level 3 Award in Education and Training is internally set and internally assessed. Learners must provide evidence demonstrating achievement against the assessment criteria for each selected unit. NOCN provides sample assignments and assessment resources for recognised Centres, while assessment decisions must meet requirements for validity, authenticity, currency, sufficiency and reliability.

To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credits.

Core Study Units

Mandatory Group A

• Understanding Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships in Education and Training — 3 Credits

Optional Group B - 6 Credits

• Understanding and Using Inclusive Teaching and Learning Approaches in Education and Training — 6 Credits
• Facilitate Learning and Development for Individuals — 6 Credits
• Facilitate Learning and Development in Groups — 6 Credits

Optional Group C - 3 Credits

• Understanding Assessment in Education and Training — 3 Credits
• Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment — 3 Credits

Who Is This Qualification For?

The NOCN Level 3 Award in Education and Training is designed for learners who want an introduction to teaching, training and education practice. NOCN states that it can meet the needs of a range of trainee teachers across different education and training contexts.

This qualification is suitable for:

• Aspiring teachers and trainers: Learners who are considering teaching or training as a professional role and want to develop foundational knowledge of education and training practice.
• New teachers and trainers: Individuals who have recently started teaching or training and want a structured Level 3 qualification covering key principles of effective education and training.
• Trainee tutors: Learners preparing for tutoring roles in settings such as further education, adult and community education, independent training organisations or work-based learning.
• Existing teaching and training staff: Individuals already involved in teaching, training or mentoring who want to formalise and develop their understanding of teaching practice.
• Assessors: Individuals currently working as assessors who want an introduction to teaching and training alongside their existing assessment responsibilities.
• Education and training professionals developing practice: Learners seeking knowledge of roles and responsibilities, inclusive teaching and learning, facilitating learning, and assessment within education and training.
• International learners: Learners outside the UK seeking a structured UK Level 3 qualification that provides foundational knowledge relevant to teaching and training contexts, subject to local employment and regulatory requirements.

Career Opportunities

The NOCN Level 3 Award in Education and Training provides learners with a structured foundation in teaching and training practice. The qualification develops knowledge of roles and responsibilities in education and training, inclusive teaching and learning approaches, facilitating learning, and assessment principles and practices, helping learners develop the understanding required for effective educational and training environments. It is suitable for learners in the UK and internationally who are preparing for or developing roles in teaching, training, tutoring, assessment, or related education and training settings.

Future Progression

The NOCN Level 3 Award in Education and Training provides learners with a foundation for developing teaching, training and assessment-related knowledge and supporting progression within education and training environments. The qualification develops understanding of roles and responsibilities in education and training, inclusive teaching and learning approaches, facilitating learning, and assessment principles and practices, providing knowledge that can be relevant across educational, vocational, workplace learning and training settings.

Academically, learners may progress to Level 4 or other higher-level teaching, education, training or assessment qualifications, subject to the entry requirements of the receiving institution. The qualification can also support further study in areas such as education, teaching, training, learning and development, assessment, and related disciplines.

Professionally, this qualification can support progression towards roles such as Teaching Assistant, Tutor, Trainer, Learning Support Assistant, Adult Education Tutor, Vocational Trainer, Workplace Learning Facilitator, Training Coordinator, and other education and training support roles, depending on the learner’s experience, occupational competence and employer requirements. The knowledge developed through the qualification provides a foundation for understanding teaching responsibilities, inclusive learning, learner development, facilitation and assessment within relevant education and training environments..