Marina Dazzan

Principles of Coding: Level 3

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Course Description and Objectives

The course will give to the apprentices the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles of coding. There are mainly 4 areas the apprentices will get an understanding on:

  • Appreciation of logic
  • Software languages
  • Code compatibility on different platforms
  • Components involved to make the Web work

Here below you can find some additional information about the 4 areas covered in the Principle of Coding course:

  • Appreciation of Logic:
    • Useful to understand the basics of logic and logic gates such as and- or- not.
  • Programming languages:
    • Hypertext markup language (HTML), Javascript (JS), Java.
  • Interaction and compatibility of code on different platforms:
    • How to identify LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) and XAMPP (Apache, MariaDB, PHP, Perl) Stacks
    • How to share different files formats across different platforms: PDF, HTML, Images (GIF, JPG, PNG), Video (Mpeg), Audio (Mp3)
    • How to create and protect feeds (using API keys).
  • Web components:
    • Define the terminology for Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), Transport Layer Security and Secure Sockets layer (TLS/ SSL)
    • Discuss the scope of web and application server, hosting, database management system and content management systems.
    • Describe Search engines functions in regards to mark up languages, crawlers and search engine optimisation (SEO).
    • Define how cookies work and when are needed.
    • Roles of 2 key goernance groups: World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

Course Format, Duration and Examination

There are no specific pre-requisites to start the course. Therefore all the apprentices need to attend the full course in order to pass the exam and get the coding qualification. The estimated total qualification time is 50 hours.

The format for the exam is a one-hour multiple-choice examination consisting of 20 questions. No materials are allowed during the exam as it is a closed book one and the minimum required to pass the exam is 13/20 (65%).

My experience

I found it incredibly useful and I would recommend it to everyone. Before starting the course, I didn’t have any type of understanding of coding but I attended all the lessons, studied every day the material shared from the teacher and obtained my qualification.

I would recommend all the apprentices to follow carefully all the lessons, to do all the activities step by step and to ask as many questions as possible to the teacher. I found the teacher well prepared, keen on helping all the attendees and open to all the questions.

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Conclusion

If you are interested in starting a career in Digital Marketing, broadening your knowledge in the principles of coding and obtaining a coding qualification this course is a fundamental pillar. The Level 3 Award in Principles of Coding will give you the opportunity to pursue a career as a web developer, database administrator, computer programmer and computer system analyst just to name some.

If you want to have a better understanding of the course you can read the Full course brochure.

Gas Network Operator Apprenticeship: Level 2

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Job Description and Core Competencies

The main purpose of the role is to construct, repair, do maintenance to gas network infrastructures and to provide a reliable supply/service to domestic, commercial and industrial users.

Some job duties include the following:

  • Site excavation
  • Tool maintenance
  • Risk assessments
  • Usage of a range of powered equipment
  • Site check safety.

The operative needs also to respond to gas network infrastructure emergencies such as gas escapes and escalate when necessary.

Key Soft Skills

  • Flexibility is key as operatives might spend the day at one site or work in multiple sites. They might need to work shifts in unsociable hours and in all weather conditions.
  • Adapt communication: an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues, managers, technicians, engineers, drivers, administration staff as well as clients. Therefore the perfect candidate needs to tailor an appropriate polite communication style to the different audience.
  • Self motivated team player: they usually work in a small team, typically with one or two other operatives. Operatives are responsible for their own work, need to report to managers but are not under direct supervision. Therefore it is important to create a positive work environment within their own team.
  • Professional, punctual, trustworthy, courteous, presentable are just some of the qualifying adjectives the role requires.
  • Maintaining security of business specific and personal data, taking account of equality and diversity are key as well.
  • The perfect candidate is committed to continue professional development.

Entry requirements and course duration

All the apprentices without level 1 or 2 English and Maths need to obtain this level prior the end-point assessment.

For those with an education, health/care plan or legacy statement, the English and Maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.

The minimum required duration is 24 months.

All the Gas network operatives need to be qualified on the Street Works Register.

Employers need to have a driving license, as they might be expected to drive to their place of work. Some gas network operatives may require a CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) Card and/ or SHEA (Safety, Health and Environmental Awareness) Gas Passport Card.

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Conclusion

The Level 2 Gas network apprenticeship is a useful starting point if you want to pursue a career in engineering and manufacturing. Once you have received your qualification you will access a variety of jobs such as Gas Network Team Leader, Gas repair ream leader, Repair/ Maintenance operative and Service main layer.

To have a better understanding on the latest information about approved apprenticeship standards in the UK please check the Apprenticetips. Occupational maps details are available for Apprenticeship and T levels.

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