RWC2 – VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Certificate in Returning to the Workplace (RQF)

Qualification summary

The COVID pandemic has had a significant impact on the UK workforce and economy, with lockdown restrictions shutting down many businesses and unemployment likely to reach 2.6 million by the middle of 2021 (7.5% of the working population).

We have worked with job centres, providers, FE Colleges and employers to develop a qualification that helps people who have recently become unemployed to return quickly to work.

This qualification enables the learner to meet the demands of the post-COVID job market and develop new and/or existing occupational skills and knowledge. It includes essential units for the modern workplace, including remote working and digital skills and gives learners the flexibility to focus on their chosen career path.

‘In terms of content, I love this qualification. I’m convinced it will positively impact the lives of so many who have been sadly made redundant or who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. I wish it every success!’

Waltham Forest College

‘This qualification will be great for sector based work academies’

In2Skills

‘The number of people we are helping to find employment is growing rapidly. I can see that this qualification would really help those people who want to gain new skills and return to work as quickly as possible.’

DWP – Jobcentre Plus, Northamptonshire

The VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Certificate in Returning to the Workplace (RQF) is aimed at those learners who are seeking employment in a new sector, but also wish to gain skills and knowledge related to a post-COVID working environment.

On completion of this qualification, the learner would expect to progress into employment or onto other Skillsfirst qualifications, such as the:

  • VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Diploma in Business Administration (RQF)
  • VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (RQF)
  • VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Certificate in Warehousing and Storage (RQF)
  • VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Diploma in Care (RQF)

The qualification is intended to provide learners with essential skills and knowledge required to gain employment in a range of sectors or similar vocationally-based qualifications.

VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Certificate in Returning to the Workplace (RQF) Handbook

Qualification structure

To achieve the qualification, learners will have to achieve all five units from Group M and three units from one of the optional occupational Groups A-I.

Minimum Guided Learning Hours (GLH) are 201

Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 231

Qualification numberQualification reference
603/7224/2RWC2

Group M – mandatory units

RQF
unit no
Skillsfirst
unit no
Unit TitleUnit LevelGLH Value
M/618/6597RWM1Operating effectively in a workplace224
T/618/6598RWM2Managing and improving own performance in a workplace228
A/618/6599RWM3Understanding methods of remote business communication224
H/618/6660RWM4Solving problems at work221
K/618/6601RWM5Principles of infection prevention and control in the workplace232

Group A  – optional business support units

RQF
unit no
Skillsfirst
unit no
Unit TitleUnit LevelGLH Value
A/618/6604RWA1Providing administrative services224
F/618/6605RWA2Managing information and producing documents228
J/618/6606RWA3Maintaining stationery supplies224

Group B  – optional retail units

RQF
unit no
Skillsfirst
unit no
Unit TitleUnit LevelGLH Value
L/618/6607RWB1Understanding security and loss prevention in a retail busines228
R/618/6608RWB2Understanding the handling of customer payments in a retail business224
Y/618/6609RWB3Understanding the control, receipt and storage of stock in a retail business224

Group C  – optional food service units

RQF
unit no
Skillsfirst
unit no
Unit TitleUnit LevelGLH Value
L/618/6610RWC1Providing a counter and takeaway service226
R/618/6611RWC2Providing a table service224
Y/618/6612RWC3Serving alcoholic drinks and beverages224

Group D  – optional sales units

RQF
unit no
Skillsfirst
unit no
Unit TitleUnit LevelGLH Value
D/618/6613RWD1Understanding sales techniques and processes230
H/618/6614RWD2Principles of online selling224
K/618/6615RWD3Understanding sales targets224

Group E  – optional housekeeping units

RQF
unit no
Skillsfirst
unit no
Unit titleUnit LevelGLH Value
M/618/6616RWE1Carrying out periodic room servicing and deep cleaning230
T/618/6617RWE2Cleaning and protecting floors, carpets and soft furnishings224
A/618/6618RWE3Collecting linen and making beds224

Group F  – optional warehousing units

RQF
unit no
Skillsfirst
unit no
Unit titleUnit LevelGLH Value
F/618/6619RWF1Picking goods and processing orders224
T/618/6620RWF2Wrapping, packing and assembling goods for dispatch224
A/618/6621RWF3Moving and handling goods224

Group G – optional adult care units

RQF
unit no
Skillsfirst
unit no
Unit TitleUnit LevelGLH Value
F/618/6622RWG1Understanding the role of the adult care worker224
J/618/6623RWG2Understanding person-centred approaches in adult care settings232
L/618/6624RWG3Principles of communication in adult care settings224

Group H – optional child care units

RQF
unit no
Skillsfirst
unit no
Unit TitleUnit LevelGLH Value
R/618/6625RWH1Understanding the principles of babies and young children development228
Y/618/6626RWH2Understanding the safeguarding of babies and young children226
D/618/6627RWH3Working with others in a babies and young children work setting224

Group I – optional digital skills for business units

RQF
unit no
Skillsfirst
Unit no
Unit TitleUnit LevelGLH Value
H/618/6628RWI1How to communicate in business using digital platforms226
K/618/6629RWI2How to be safe and responsible online in the business environment224
D/618/6630RWI3How to create and edit digital information for business use226


To find out more, please contact our customer services team on 0121 270 5100 or email us.