Rural Business Investigation with a Scottish Context (SCQF level 5) 
6 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 5

Horticultural Skills (SCQF level 5)
6 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 5

Soft Landscaping: General Plantings (SCQF level 5)
6 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 5



The general aims of this course are to:
 * provide candidates with skills and knowledge in a specific land-based vocational area 
* provide opportunities to develop core skills including Communication, Working with Others, Problem Solving, Numeracy and ICT in a realistic work setting 
* provide candidates with an understanding of the nature of land-based workplaces 
* provide candidates with an understanding of sustainability issues relating to the workplace 
* provide candidates with an understanding of different types of rural business 
* encourage candidates to develop a positive attitude to their own learning 
* allow candidates to develop skills and attitudes required for employability in the land-based sector 
* allow candidates to experience a range of learning, teaching and assessment styles which motivate them to achieve their full potential 
* facilitate progression to further study in a specific land-based industry 


 

This qualification prepares candidates for further study or employment, although it does not completely prepare the candidate for the land-based workplace alone; candidates will require further training. However, successful candidates will have gained some of the occupational competences and employers may see the NPA as an appropriate way into a Modern Apprenticeship or other work-based learning qualification such as an SVQ.

The NPA also provides the opportunity to progress to a full-time course in a chosen specialism such as a National Certificate.