Information Technology

Vista has a suite of qualifications which it offers to its students, according to the student's capabilities. Since all our courses are funded by external agencies there might be age restrictions on some courses and payments to be made, in line with government policies.

e-Quals 07 Level 1 Certificate for IT Users (Standard/Enhanced)

What is the aim of this qualification?
The aims of this qualification is to:

• Build your basic IT skills and confidence
• Teach you to learn, develop and practice the skills required for employment

What qualification will I gain?
You can decide if you would like to achieve the Standard e-Quals 07 Level 1 Certificate for IT users or the Enhanced e-Quals 07 Level 1 Certificate.

For the Standard e-Quals 07 Level 1 Certificate for IT Users qualification, you must achieve one core unit and two optional units with at least one of the optional units at Level 1.

For the Enhanced e-Quals 07 Level 1 Certificate for IT Users qualifications, you must achieve one core unit and four optional units.

What will I learn?

• How to access and use files and folders
• Gain an understanding of the operation of computers, the operating environment and applications software and hardware
• Learn two or four additional units of your choice; word-processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation graphics, desktop publishing software

How long will it take me to achieve this qualification?
Depending on your experience, between 4-6 months (1 or 2 terms).

Is this course suitable for me?
This qualification has been designed for you if you have little or no experience at using the computer.

e-Quals 07 Level 2 Diploma for IT Users (Standard/Enhanced)

This is a more in-depth qualification which follows the same principles as level 1, but you will learn designing and creating presentations, multi page documents, digital imaging, maintain directories etc.

How long will it take me to achieve this qualification?
Depending on your experience, between 4-6 months (1 or 2 terms).

Is this course suitable for me?
This qualification is designed for you if you have already a computer qualification at level 1.

OCR Level 3 Certificate for IT Users (CLAIT Advanced)

The OCR Level 3 Certificate for IT Users (CLAIT Advanced) is designed to boost your IT proficiency and enable you to mentor friends and colleagues. In order to achieve this qualification you are required to complete 3 units; creating an IT Solution, Image Production and Professional presentation.

What will I learn?

• How to create an IT solution
  Produce support documentation, use mail merge and export/import files Customise menus and toolbars and use a variety of editing and formatting tools, macros and passwords.
• Professional presentation
  Create complex presentations, using complex style sheets and formatting techniques Use a range of audio and visual effects and create macros to automate common tasks.
• Image production
  Adobe PhotoShop which teaches the use a wide range of drawing, painting and text editing features, image transformation techniques, manage layers, colour, filters and editing and enhancing techniques, as well as converting images between a variety of images/formats/modes and importing and exporting files in a variety of formats appropriate to need.

How long will it take me to achieve this qualification?
The recommended guided learning hours for this qualification is 180 hours (3 terms).

Is this course suitable for me?
This course is suitable for you if you have previous Level 2 qualifications and if you are already a confident and productive IT User. Developed in consultation with industry, CLAIT Advanced consists of units which can be entered individually or as part of a nationally recognized IT User Award according to your needs. Other units which you may consider doing include advanced Spreadsheets, Database or Word Processing.

Child Care

Vista offers women and girls training in Early Years Childcare, through the NVQ Children Care Learning and Development. We run a Level 2 and a level 3 course.

Level 2 is the basic childcare course, giving participants a thorough grounding in the care, social, emotional and intellectual development of children, touching on legislation and Health and Safety issues, as well as giving an opportunity to qualify and run a class with others. The course is about building a portfolio of evidence culled from placement or work experience in a Nursery or Early Years setting.

Level 3 (candidates need to be over 18) is a much more advanced qualification and candidates will be expected to plan, organise and supervise a setting in their capacity of class teacher or supervisor. They will be able to provide care, social, emotional and intellectual development to children following the foundation stage, national curriculum and OFSTED guidelines. It gives an insight into and practice in the relevant legislation related to working with children like “London child’, the Children Act, data protection and child protection. This course is also about portfolio building based on evidence that the candidate has supervised others or has been in charge of children in a class. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate a deep understanding of all relevant legislation, as above, as well as how to make policies and market the Nursery setting to others.

If you are interested in any of our courses please contact the Vista office on 020 8802 8772 for further information.