Business Enterprise (Level 2)

All businesses need enterprising employees to drive their organisations forward, to have ideas and initiatives to grow and to ensure that businesses survive in this fast-changing world. Enterprising skills can help you be a real asset to an organisation, as well as give you the basis on which to develop entrepreneurial skills for running your own enterprise in the future. This BTEC course is designed for post-16 learners like you who would like to master sector-specific skills and knowledge alongside broader transferable skills such as communication, research, and project work.

Unit 1 The Business Enterprise Environment (External Assessment)

Business ownership, liability and size, industry sectors, stakeholders and their influence, the operational environment, SWOT analysis, legal frameworks, enterprise and entrepreneurship, skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, sources of business advice and finance.

Unit 2 Researching a concept for a new or revised product or service (Internal Assessment)

Enterprise ideas, features of successful enterprises, types of enterprise, enterprise skills, risks of lack of enterprise, creativity techniques, refining enterprise ideas, 4Ps of marketing, market research methods, data presentation and interpretation.

Unit 3 Promoting and financing an enterprise idea (Internal Assessment)

Promotional methods, developing an idea for field / test marketing, developing strategies for the promotional campaign, planning a promotional campaign, financial plan and the supply chain for the idea.

Unit 4 Planning and pitching an enterprise idea (Internal Synoptic)

Prepare a business plan for a new enterprise idea, deliver a business pitch, review, and revise a business plan in light of feedback.

The course is delivered through taught sessions which lead to preparation for external assessments or the completion of assignments. Group discussion, individual written preparation, practical exercises; practice questions and assessments are all used throughout the course.

Assessment is specifically designed to fit the purpose and objective of the qualification. It includes a range of assessment types and styles suited to vocational qualifications in the sector. There are three main forms of assessment that you need to be aware of: external, internal and synoptic. Each external assessment is taken under specified conditions, then marked by the awarding organisation and a grade is awarded. Learners must achieve all external units at pass grade or above. Students are permitted to re sit any external assessment only once during the programme.

Internal assessments are set and marked by the course staff and the outcome verified by an independent member of staff. Internal assessments usually take the form of assignments, which might be written reports, presentations or practical activities which are observed by an assessor.

Out of the four units you will study, three will be internally assessed. This means you will produce portfolios of coursework that is marked and moderated by your teachers. A sample of work will then go off to the exam board to check they agree with the grade awarded.

Unit 1, The Business Enterprise Environment is externally assessed. This means you will sit an exam for this unit, and this will be sent off to the exam board for marking.

Achieving this qualification will give learners an advantage when applying for a job in business, or when starting their own business. The types of jobs they will be ready for are marketing research assistant, business development advisor and junior business account assistant. When studied as part of a full study programme, this qualification also gives learners a sound basis to progress further in the business sector or to a Level 3 Technical qualification.