● Business skills

o Selects appropriately from applicable standards, methods, tools and

applications. Communicates fluently, orally and in writing, and can present
complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences. Facilitates
collaboration between stakeholders who share common objectives. Plans,
schedules and monitors work to meet time and quality targets. Rapidly absorbs
new information and applies it effectively. Maintains an awareness of
developing technologies and their application and takes some responsibility for
driving own development.
For full details of the skills covered in each category for SFIA Levels 3 and 4, see
Appendix 3.
The SFIA framework was used throughout the design and content creation of Pearson
BTEC Higher Nationals in Computing.
The National Occupational Standards for IT professionals are industry standards for
skills, developed for the Trailblazer Apprenticeships which have been developed in
line with the SFIA framework.
CompTIA and BCS have mapped their membership schemes to the SFIA framework.
By using the SFIA framework the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Computing will be
aligned with both the Trailblazer Apprenticeships in Digital Industries and Professional
Body memberships.

2.7 What could these qualifications lead to?

The Pearson BTEC Higher National Certificate provides a solid grounding in computing
at Level 4, vendor-accredited certification and Professional Body membership, all of
which students can build on should they decide to continue their studies beyond the
Certificate stage. The Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma allows students to
specialise by committing to specific career paths and progression routes to degree-
level study.
On successful completion of the Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma at Level 5,
students can develop their careers in the computing sector through:
● Entering employment
● Continuing existing employment
● Linking with the appropriate vendor accredited certificates
● Committing to Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
● Progressing to university.
The Level 5 Higher National Diploma is recognised by higher education providers as
meeting admission requirements to many relevant computing-related courses.

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Details of entry requirements for BTEC Higher National graduates into degree
programmes at institutions in the UK and internationally can be found on the Degree
Course Finder website (http://degreecoursefinder.pearson.com/).
The skills offered as part of the Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma can provide
graduates with the opportunity to work in many different areas of the computing
sector. Below are some examples of job roles each qualification could lead to:

Pathway Job Roles

Network Engineering Network Engineer
Systems Architect
Computer Service and Repair Technician
Network Manager
Software Engineering Software Developer
Systems Designer
Business Analyst
Games Developer
Web Developer
Data Analytics Data Analyst
Business Analyst
Marketing Analyst
Data Engineer
Fraud Analyst
Operation Research Scientist
Security Forensic Computer Analysts
IT Security Coordinator
Ethical Hacker
Fraud Analyst
Intelligent Systems Software Developer
Online Reputation Manager
Machine Learning Software Engineer
Data Scientist
Robotics Engineer

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12 Specification – Issue 4 – August 2019 © Pearson Education Limited 2019
 Applications Development HCI Designer
Games Developer
Web Developer
General / All Pathways Systems Analyst
Data Designer
Systems Tester
Database Administrator
IT Project Manager
IT Support Technician
Web Designer

These job roles are based on descriptions from The National Occupational Standards
for IT professionals – industry standards for skills, developed in collaboration with
employers, professional bodies and others which make it easier for employers to
describe job roles, externally and internally. The development of IT Professional
Standards was undertaken by The Tech Partnership.

2.8 How Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Computing provide both

transferable employability skills and academic study skills
Students need both relevant qualifications and employability skills to enhance their
career prospects and contribute to their personal development. Pearson BTEC Higher
National Computing qualifications embed the development of key skills throughout
the programme; attributes and strengths required by 21st century employers.
Where employability skills are referred to in this specification, this generally refers to
skills in three main categories:
● Cognitive and problem-solving skills: critical thinking, approaching non-routine
problems by applying expert and creative solutions, use of systems and digital
technology, generating and communicating ideas creatively.
● Intra-personal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-
monitoring and self-development, self-analysis and reflection, planning and
prioritising.
● Interpersonal skills: effective communication and articulation of information,
working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation.

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