BTEC Tech Award in Engineering, first teaching September 2017
We are pleased to announce that the BTEC Tech Award in Engineering is approved and is on the DfE list for 2019.
The BTEC Tech Award in Engineering has been developed by Pearson to give learners at Key Stage 4 in England the opportunity to study one or more vocational areas as part of their curriculum. The BTEC Tech Award in Engineering has been designed to meet the Department for Education (DfE) requirements for qualifications to be offered as technical awards for 14–16 year olds.
BTEC Tech Award in Engineering Qualification Page
You can access the BTEC Tech Award qualification page from the link below. In this page, you will find the specification document, a subject guide and by navigating to 'course materials' you can access a Sample Assessment Material for Component 3 and Authorised Assignment Briefs for Component 1 and 2.
- development of key engineering practical and technical skills, such as research, observation, measurement, making, using computer-aided design (CAD) and disassembly
- knowledge of key engineering sectors (mechanical, electrical/electronic and engineering design) and the interrelation of each in industry
- knowledge of the stages involved in planning and implementing an engineering project
- knowledge and skills involved in the investigation of solutions to engineering problems in response to a given brief.
Learners who generally achieve at Level 2 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider progression to:
- A Levels as preparation for entry into higher education in a range of subjects
- study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in Engineering, which prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher education by studying a degree in an engineering area.
Learners who generally achieve at Level 1 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider progression to: - study at Level 2 post-16 in a range of technical routes designed to lead to work, to progression to employment, apprenticeships or to further study at Level 3. For these learners, the attitudes and the reflective and communication skills covered in the qualification will help them achieve
- study of Engineering post-16 through the study of a technical certificate. Learners who perform strongly in this qualification compared to their overall performance should strongly consider this progression route that can lead ultimately to employment in engineering sectors.
Qualification Structure
The qualification has three components that focus on the assessment of knowledge, skills and practices. These are all essential to developing a basis for progression and therefore learners need to demonstrate attainment across all components in order to achieve the qualification.
BTEC Tech Award in Engineering has:
- 120 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)
- 160 Total Qualification Time (TQT)
| Component | Title | GLH | Level | How assessed | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Exploring Engineering Sectors and Design Applications |
36 |
1/2 |
Internal |
30% |
2 |
Investigating an Engineering Project |
36 |
1/2 |
Internal |
30% |
3 |
Responding to an Engineering Brief |
48 |
1/2 |
Synoptic External |
40% |
Assessment Information
The qualification is assessed with a combination of Internal assessment and Synoptic External assessment.
Components 1 and 2 are internally assessed. These components are subject to external standards verification.
Component 1: Exploring Engineering Sectors and Design Applications
The unit is 36 GLH and internally assessed.
The unit has 2 learning aims:
- LA-A Understand engineering sectors, products and organisations, and how they interrelate
- LA-B Explore engineering skills through the design process.
Component 2: Investigating an Engineering Project
The unit is 36 GLH and internally assessed.
The unit has 3 learning aims:
- LA-A Understand materials, components and processes for a given engineered product
- LA-B Investigate a given engineered product using disassembly techniques
- LA-C Plan the manufacture and safely reproduce/inspect/test a given engineered component.
For internally assessed components, assignment briefs are used to assess learners against the assessment criterias of each component. We have developed authorised assignment briefs for component 1 and 2, to help you plan, prepare and assess your learners. You can use these of the shelf or contextualise them to suit the needs of your learners and your centre. In each case, these must be internally verified.
Component 3: Responding to an Engineering Brief
The component is 48 GLH and externally assessed.
The external assessment is based on a set task. The task is set and marked by Pearson.
Externally Assessed Set Task (Component 3):
| Component | Description of task | Availability |
|---|---|---|
Component 3: Responding to an Engineering Brief |
|
Feb and May/June from 2019 onwards |
The component is 48 GLH and externally assessed with a set task, set and marked by Pearson.
The component has 4 assessment objectives:
- AO1 Understand how to respond to an engineering brief
- AO2 Select skills and techniques in response to an engineering brief
- AO3 Apply skills and techniques in response to an engineering brief
- AO4 Evaluate and review the outcomes of the application of skills and techniques in response to an engineering brief
We have developed a Sample Assessment Material to show how the unit is assessed with an externally set task. You can access this from the link below.
Calculation of the qualification grade
| U | 0 |
| Level 1 Pass | 9 |
| Level 1 Merit | 15 |
| Level 2 Pass | 22 |
| Level 2 Merit | 29 |
| Level 2 Distinction | 36 |
| U | 0 |
| Level 1 Pass | 12-17 |
| Level 1 Merit | 18-23 |
| Level 1 Distinction | 24-29 |
| Level 2 Pass | 30-35 |
| Level 2 Merit | 36-41 |
| Level 2 Distinction | 42-48 |
| Level 1 Pass | 30 |
| Level 1 Merit | 44 |
| Level 1 Distinction | 58 |
| Level 2 Pass | 72 |
| Level 2 Merit | 95 |
| Level 2 Distinction | 105 |
| Level 2 Distinction* | 114 |
The table is subject to review over the lifetime of the qualification. The most up-to-date version will be available on our website.
I hope that this update will help you in planning for first teaching September 2017.
Best wishes,
