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Qualifications

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Entry level qualifications

In each case one pass at GCSE (grades A-C) must be in English Language

Support Grades (eg. lab attendants)
Typist
Personal Secretary
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Officer
Executive Officer
Assistant Forensic Scientist
Trainee Forensic Scientist

Support Grades (eg. lab attendants)
Though no formal qualifications are required, emphasis is normally placed on relevant skills and work experience. However, on occasion as dictated by the role or requests from managers, qualification requirement would be stated in the advert.

Typist
RSA typing skills Stage III (Advanced), or Pitmans typing advanced (first class) or SCOTVEC typing 6, or LCCI intermediate typing (distinction), or pass the Civil Service manuscript grading test (no formal educational qualifications are required).

Personal Secretary
Three GCSE passes (grades A-C) or equivalent, or National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in business administration level 2 or equivalent plus the following typing skills; RSA audio stage III (advanced) with a distinction or equivalent; or pass the Civil Service manuscript and audio proficiency test.

Administrative Assistant
Three GCSE passes (grade A-C), or NVQ in business administration level 2, Business and Technical Education Council (BTEC) first certificate, or equivalent.

Administrative Officer
Five GCSE passes (grade A-C), or NVQ in business administration level 2, BTEC first diploma, or equivalent.

Executive Officer
Five GCSE passes (grades A-C) including two at 'A' level, or an NVQ in management at level 3 (supervisers), or level 4 (first line managers), or equivalent.

Assistant Forensic Scientist
Four GCSE passes (grades A-C), including either a science (preferably biology or chemistry) or mathematics as well as an 'A' level in a scientific subject (preferably biology or chemistry).

Trainee Forensic Scientist
A scientific degree, preferably biology or chemistry based with at least a 2.2 pass. Previous laboratory experience would also be beneficial.

Forensic Science Service staff who currently work at assistant forensic scientist level will require a scientific related degree in order to become a forensic scientist. Preferably this degree will be in a biology or chemistry related subject.

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