Dermot

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Dermot
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Dermot Advanced Diploma in business,
administration and finance
additional and specialist learning 360 GLH
generic learning 180 GLH
Level 3 BTEC Award in customer service (90
GLH) Level 3 Advanced sales and marketing (90
GLH) Level 3 BTEC Certificate in management (180
GLH) Dermot chose 3 qualifications to study as
part of his ASL. The management course gave him a
taste of the skills required to manage people
whilst the customer service option focused on key
service principles.
3 x functional skills at level 2 (prerequisite)
extended project qualification (120 GLH)
10 days work experience
personal, learning and thinking skills (60 GLH)
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(Work experience contd.)
Work experience
Extended Project
Dermot spent his work experience with a large
insurance company, dividing his time between the
claims and underwriting departments. Week one was
spent supporting staff who were processing a
range of claims. After some localised flooding
they were coming in thick and fast so the work
was quite pressurised. Dermot also visited some
domestic properties that had been affected and
witnessed at first hand how claims were settled,
often through negotiation and compromise.
Dermot organised, administered and evaluated a
sponsored cycle ride. It encompassed many aspects
of his course and raised money for a good cause
too. He got advice from other event organisers,
spoke to police and took out insurance for the
event. He developed a business plan projecting
how much money they might raise. He had to design
and use data recording methods to capture
essential information on those taking part, which
included medical information. Dermot hired the
nearby sports centre where the event started and
finished so was involved in processing the
financial transactions. He also recruited the
help of other members of the Diploma group,
co-ordinating their roles via meetings and
briefings. He used his customer service skills to
ensure everyone had an enjoyable day, gathering
feedback from many of them at the end. This was
useful when it came to evaluate the business
plan. He also used the information to produce a
summary of the event that was included in his
school prospectus.
Week two was more sedate but just as interesting.
Dermot shadowed one of the underwriters who was
evaluating the risks associated with insuring a
range of sporting events, determining the
premiums that needed to be charged. Under
supervision, he was encouraged to get involved
with assessments and suggest different levels of
cover. He also saw how automated underwriting
systems operated for simple home and car quotes,
finding the whole experience thoroughly
enjoyable.
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