Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - News - NOCN Level 1 Award in Community Development

13 January 2011

Rural Community Network has recently become a recognised centre for the delivery of National Open College Network (NOCN) qualifications. We will be continuing to develop a suite of short and medium term qualifications at varying levels under this awarding body in the forthcoming period.

We are currently offering a full Level 1 Award in Community Development. The Level 1 Award forms part of an integrated suite of National Open College Network (NOCN) qualifications including Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Certificates.

The aims and broad objectives of the NOCN Level 1 Award in Community Development are as follows:

· To contribute to the continuing professional development of learners as individuals, citizens, volunteers and staff.

· To support learners in developing ‘front line’ skills in community development.

· To enable learners to reflect constructively on their learning and practice.

· To extend awareness of the values and principles of community development.

· To provide a structured programme of accredited learning towards a recognised national qualification.

· To equip learners in responding to the policy initiatives of local and central government and their regional agencies.

The NOCN Level 1 Award in Community Development is achieved by completing three core units. Each unit has a number of credits assigned to it, which in this case are 3 credits per unit. The total number of credits for the qualification is 9 credits.

Unit 1: Understanding Community Development Work (3 credits)

Unit 2: Community Development Work Skills (3 credits)

Unit 3: Reflective Community Development Practice (3 credits)

The recommended guided learning hours for one unit credit is 10. The total recommended guided learning hours for this qualification is therefore 90 hours. This is notional learning time based on the credit values assigned to the units, and the number of unit credits required to achieve the qualification.

Below is a guide to how these learning hours will be accrued;

· Face to face tutorial time (approximately 6 X 3Hr Sessions)

· Personal reading & reflection

· Completion of learning booklet

· Participation in activities relevant to Community Development

· Possible one to one support with tutor

The training will be delivered within a rural community development context and will have the flexibility to be tailored towards the needs of individual learners. It will primarily suit those that are relatively new to community development practice (paid or unpaid), or perhaps local community groups who want to further develop core skills and knowledge whilst attaining an accredited qualification.

If you would like to register your interest in participating in this training please contact Fergal O’Donnell at Rural Community Network on 028 86766670 or email fergal@ruralcommunitynetwork.org