Internal Course Level & Grading Guide

📘 Richardson Training Services Ltd

Internal Course Level & Grading Guide

Our internal levels classify RRS in-house training. External/assured courses follow the awarding/assurance body’s standards. All courses issue a certificate of completion.

🧭 Scope & Principles

  • Certificates: All courses issue a certificate of completion (digital by default).
  • Pass marks & weighting: Defined per course in its marking criteria.
  • Practical requirement (L2+): Level 2 and above must include practical skill evidence (e.g., classroom practical, workplace evidence/assessments, portfolio, simulation/video).
  • Specialist tracks: Industry-specific/safety-critical programmes (e.g., Track Handback Engineer – Railway) are a minimum Level 4.
  • Prerequisites: Set per course (not by level).
  • External/assured delivery: Follows the external organisation’s syllabus, grading, certification and renewal rules.

🎯 Internal Levels (Intent & Typical Use)

These describe scope and expected performance and are not direct Ofqual/RQF equivalences.

Awareness Course

Foundational awareness of risks, controls and terminology. No practical competence implied.

  • Mode: briefing / e-learning
  • Assessment: short check/quiz (per course)
  • Certificate of completion

Level 1

Introductory knowledge and recall of procedures; supervised application only.

  • Assessment: knowledge test (per course)
  • Evidence: scenarios/short answers
  • Supervision: required

Level 2

Basic practical capability in low-risk contexts under direction; follows set procedures.

  • Practical evidence required (observed practical/workplace evidence)
  • Assessment: knowledge + practical pass
  • Supervision: close

Level 3

Competent performer in routine tasks; selects correct methods with limited support.

  • Practical evidence required (workplace logs/photos/supervisor sign-off)
  • Assessment: exam + workplace evidence
  • Supervision: minimal

Level 4

Advanced practitioner; adapts to non-routine scenarios using risk-based judgement.

  • Practical evidence required (case-based/simulation)
  • Assessment: case study + practical + interview (per course)
  • Peer/assessor review

Level 5

Technical specialist; mentors others and leads tasks in complex environments.

  • Practical evidence required (mentoring/leadership logs)
  • Assessment: synoptic project/portfolio + viva
  • IQA sampling

Level 6

Expert level; designs, evaluates and governs practice; sets standards.

  • Practical evidence required (authored procedures/standards)
  • Assessment: thesis/report + panel/viva
  • Enhanced IQA/external review

Non-Graded Course

Informational or vendor/product familiarisation. Completion acknowledged; no level claim.

  • Assessment: optional (per course)
  • Certificate of completion

⏱️ Indicative Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

Planning bands for short courses/blended programmes (not full Ofqual/RQF qualifications). Actual GLH per course may sit outside these bands based on risk and delivery.

LevelIndicative GLHNotes
Awareness1–3 hoursBriefing/induction; theory only
Level 14–8 hoursIntro knowledge; supervised use of procedures
Level 28–16 hoursIncludes basic practical/observation
Level 315–30 hoursRoutine practice; workplace evidence
Level 430–60 hoursAdvanced scenarios; case-based work
Level 560–120 hoursComplex tasks; mentoring evidence
Level 6120+ hoursExpert/standard-setting activities
Non-GradedVariableAs required for familiarisation
Note: GLH reflects tutor-led/assessed time. Additional self-study may be specified per course.

📌 RRS CPD / Points Model

  • 1 CPD point = 1 hour of GLH (standard UK CPD convention).
  • Daily cap: normally 8 CPD points per day to reflect realistic learning absorption.
  • Self-directed study beyond GLH may be recorded for development but does not increase CPD points unless specified by the course.
  • Certificates/records show GLH and CPD points awarded.

🧪 Assessment & Pass Marks

Pass marks, must-pass sections and assessment weighting are set per course in its marking criteria. From Level 2 upwards, courses must include practical skill evidence (e.g., classroom practical, workplace assessment/evidence, portfolio/logs, simulation/video).

🔄 Validity & Renewal

Validity/recertification windows are set per course based on risk, regulatory guidance and client requirements. Higher-risk or time-critical competencies will typically review at shorter intervals than awareness courses.

🏛️ External Qualification Levels (Assured Delivery)

Where courses are delivered under an awarding/assurance organisation, the external body’s syllabus, grading/marking and renewal rules apply. RRS does not apply internal levels to those courses; internal CPD recording may still appear on learner records for development tracking.

Notes & FAQs

Do these levels equal NVQ/RQF levels?

No. They indicate scope and expectation within RRS. External/assured frameworks are referenced separately and followed where applicable.

Can I claim CPD?

Yes, where stated for each course. CPD points are awarded 1:1 with GLH and listed on certificates/records.

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