Hi, you posed an interesting question.
Can I mix and match some bits from 2357 and mix it in with bits of 2356?
The general consensus of opinion from from some highly experienced people is noyou can't mix the two together, for the following reasons.:
1. the 2357 is an all encompassing qualification, so therefore the 2357knowledge units do not count as a standalone technical certificate. Theseknowledge units are part of a series of requirements to complete the award infull.
Example: to complete 2357 you need knowledge units (exams), also to completeyour NVQ and AM2.
If you imagine the container of a trivial pursuit counter with the triangularpartitions removed, in order to complete 2357, each element will eventually beplaced into the container once you have passed it, so eventually the containerwill be full with all the required parts giving you a total qualification, butif you fall short of an element, say NVQ, you still do not have a standalonequalification as the all come under the same umbrella (so as to speak)
2. Alternatively, if you were to imagine the trivial pursuit container with thediagonal partitions in place, you could still fill up your container, only thistime with stand alone qualifications, namely 2330 technical certificate, thenyour 2356 NVQ, then your AM2 (and on an advance apprenticeship Key skillsetc.).
So you end up with a 2356 situation where finally you have all the independentquals. these finally, will get you your grading card.
(this is why you have to send a copy of each qualificationcertificate to the JIB rather than just an NVQ one to prove you have obtainedall the correct bits).
The container is just an object for collecting qualifications and not the fullqualification.
With the 2357, if you have any elements missing but have some other parts of2357, at this time those that you do have are just milestones on the way toobtaining the full qualification, so your container would not be fully validuntil you have all the appropriate elements.
The container signifies a full qualification, so a full container, fullyqualified, bits missing, not fully qualified.
When you send off for your JIB grading card, they will look at the one certificate(which won't be issued until you have done everything) and see by the fact thatthe complete certificate has been issued that your qualification is valid.
I hope this explanation helps as qualifications can be a minefield, but atleast you might save yourself a few quid by not enrolling on the 2356, it's2357 for you
