Skills for Life and Work Specification - Pearson Entry Level 1 to Level 3 Awards, Certificates and Diplomas - First teach September 2027

Oct 20, 2026

Skills for Life and Work provides qualification pathways for 14–16-year-old learners in Wales, enabling nationally recognised Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas through demonstration of a broad range of skills. The specification outlines qualification levels, sizes, titles, and key information, then details unit summaries, rules of combination, grading, and assessment requirements. It also covers language of assessment, internal assessment, authorised assignment briefs, and recognition of prior learning, alongside unit content for SfL and SfW areas, plus grade understanding, glossary, and annexes supporting Curriculum for Wales mapping.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages290

Reading Time12 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Introducing the qualifications

What are Skills for Life and Work qualifications?

How to use this document

Qualification summary and key information

Qualification levels

Qualification sizes

Qualification titles

Other key information

Unit summary

Rules of Combination

Unit and Qualification Grading

Assessment requirements

Language of assessment

Internal assessment

Authorised Assignment Briefs

Assessment of units

Recognition of Prior Learning

Units

Unit SfL 1: Arts and crafts

Unit SfL 2: Basic first aid

Unit SfL 3: British Sign Language (BSL)

Unit SfL 4: Community participation

Unit SfL 5: Democracy in action

Unit SfL 6: Digital film and media

Unit SfL 7: Equality, diversity and inclusion

Unit SfL 8: Ethical choices

Unit SfL 9: Everyday law

Unit SfL 10: Exercise for all

Unit SfL 11: Faith and belief in the community

Unit SfL 12: Financial literacy

Unit SfL 13: Food planning and preparation

Unit SfL 14: Healthy lifestyle

Unit SfL 15: Healthy relationships

Unit SfL 16: Home management and maintenance

Unit SfL 17: Looking after others

Unit SfL 18: Mental health and wellbeing

Unit SfL 19: Music, dance, and drama

Unit SfL 20: Online safety

Unit SfL 21: Personal safety

Unit SfL 22: Practical gardening

Unit SfL 23: Science and technology in everyday life

Unit SfL 24: Skills in the natural environment

Unit SfL 25: Sustainability in action

Unit SfL 26: Teamwork

Unit SfL 27: Understanding self and others

Unit SfL 28: Values for life

Unit SfL 29: Leading a sport activity session

Unit SfL 30: Preparing for an outdoor expedition

Unit SfW 1: Fairness and inclusion in the workplace

Unit SfW 2: Personal development planning

Unit SfW 3: Sustainable economic development

Unit SfW 4: Exploring career pathways

Unit SfW 5: Jobs of the future

Unit SfW 6: Applying for jobs

Unit SfW 7: Building a growth mindset

Unit SfW 8: Business finance

Unit SfW 9: Interview and confidence techniques

Unit SfW 10: Overcoming barriers

Unit SfW 11: Career creativity

Unit SfW 12: Customer service

Unit SfW 13: Enterprise venture

Unit SfW 14: Work experience

Unit SfW 15: Rights and responsibilities in the workplace

Unit SfW 16: Understanding the changing labour market

Unit SfW 17: Using IT in the workplace

Unit SfW 18: Wellbeing and work

Unit SfW 19: Working in Wales

Understanding the qualification grade

Glossary

Part A – General terminology used in the specification

Part B – Glossary of terms used for internally assessed units

Annexe A: CQFW Level Descriptors

Annexe B: Units mapped against Curriculum for Wales Crosscurricular skills frameworks

Annexe C: Evidence for Units mapped against Curriculum for Wales Cross-curricular skills frameworks

Annexe D: Units mapped against Curriculum for Wales Cross-cutting themes

Annexe E: Evidence for Units mapped against Curriculum for Wales Cross-cutting themes

Skills for Life and Work Specification Pearson Entry Level 1 Skills for Life and Work Award, Certificate and Diploma Pearson Entry Level 2 Skills for Life and Work Award, Certificate and Diploma Pearson Entry Level 3 Skills for Life and Work Award, Certificate and Diploma Pearson Level 1 Skills for Life and Work Award, Certificate and Diploma Pearson Level 2 Skills for Life and Work Award, Certificate and Diploma First teach September 2027 Issue 1 About Pearson We are the world’s leading learning company operating in countries all around the world. We provide content, assessment, and digital services to students, educational institutions, employers, governments, and other partners globally. We are committed to helping equip students with the skills they need to enhance their employability prospects and to succeed in the changing world of work. We believe that wherever learning flourishes, so do people. References to third-party materials made in this specification are made in good faith. Pearson does not endorse, approve, or accept responsibility for the content of materials, which may be subject to change, or any opinions expressed therein. (Materials may include textbooks, journals, magazines, and other publications and websites.) All information in this specification is correct at the time of publication. VQ000554 All the material in this publication is copyright © Pearson Education Limited 2026 Contents 1 Introducing the qualifications 1 What are Skills for Life and Work qualifications? 1 How to use this document 1 2 Qualification summary and key information 2 Qualification levels 2 Qualification sizes 2 Qualification titles 3 Other key information 4 3 Unit summary 5 Rules of Combination 7 Unit and Qualification Grading 8 4 Assessment requirements 9 Language of assessment 9 Internal assessment 9 Authorised Assignment Briefs 9 Assessment of units 10 Recognition of Prior Learning 11 5 Units 12 Unit SfL 1: Arts and crafts 13 Unit SfL 2: Basic first aid 17 Unit SfL 3: British Sign Language (BSL) 22 Unit SfL 4: Community participation 27 Unit SfL 5: Democracy in action 31 Unit SfL 6: Digital film and media 35 Unit SfL 7: Equality, diversity and inclusion 39 Unit SfL 8: Ethical choices 43 Unit SfL 9: Everyday law 47 Unit SfL 10: Exercise for all 52 Unit SfL 11: Faith and belief in the community 56 Unit SfL 12: Financial literacy 60 Unit SfL 13: Food planning and preparation 65 Unit SfL 14: Healthy lifestyle 69 Unit SfL 15: Healthy relationships 74 Unit SfL 16: Home management and maintenance 78 Unit SfL 17: Looking after others 83 Unit SfL 18: Mental health and wellbeing 88 Unit SfL 19: Music, dance, and drama 92 Unit SfL 20: Online safety 96 Unit SfL 21: Personal safety 100 Unit SfL 22: Practical gardening 104 Unit SfL 23: Science and technology in everyday life 108 Unit SfL 24: Skills in the natural environment 113 Unit SfL 25: Sustainability in action 117 Unit SfL 26: Teamwork 121 Unit SfL 27: Understanding self and others 125 Unit SfL 28: Values for life 129 Unit SfL 29: Leading a sport activity session 134 Unit SfL 30: Preparing for an outdoor expedition 138 Unit SfW 1: Fairness and inclusion in the workplace 143 Unit SfW 2: Personal development planning 147 Unit SfW 3: Sustainable economic development 153 Unit SfW 4: Exploring career pathways 157 Unit SfW 5: Jobs of the future 162 Unit SfW 6: Applying for jobs 166 Unit SfW 7: Building a growth mindset 171 Unit SfW 8: Business finance 175 Unit SfW 9: Interview and confidence techniques 179 Unit SfW 10: Overcoming barriers 184 Unit SfW 11: Career creativity 189 Unit SfW 12: Customer service 194 Unit SfW 13: Enterprise venture 198 Unit SfW 14: Work experience 203 Unit SfW 15: Rights and responsibilities in the workplace 209 Unit SfW 16: Understanding the changing labour market 213 Unit SfW 17: Using IT in the workplace

FAQs

What learner group and context do Skills for Life and Work qualifications target?

The qualifications enable 14–16-year-old learners in Wales to achieve nationally recognised qualifications by demonstrating a broad range of skills. They support navigating adult life, learning, and work.

How should this specification be used in teaching?

The specification must be used alongside the Teaching and Learning Support document and the Assessment Delivery and Administration Guide. Pearson also provides an Authorised Assignment Brief (AAB) for each unit.

What assessment areas are covered in the assessment requirements section?

The specification covers the language of assessment, internal assessment, authorised assignment briefs, assessment of units, and recognition of prior learning.

Oct 20, 2026

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