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What is an NVQ?
National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
What is an NVQ?
- Qualifications about work tasks - procedures and practises
- Available at different levels from Level 1 for basic operatives to Level 7 which is degree level (see table referring to levels below)
- Based on standards of competence - practical and knowledge
- Every NVQ is made up of subjects (units), which identify the parts of the job that must be achieved to complete the unit.
- A number of these units (subjects) of competence need to be achieved to complete the full NVQ at any level.
- A certificate is awarded on completion of the full NVQ.
- A certificate is awarded for units completed (these are identified as an individual unit(s)and not a full NVQ.
- Certificates are awarded by internationally recognised awarding bodies. At Intrinsic Training Solutions we are approved by City & Guilds, Meat Training Council and the C.I.E.H.
How Do NVQ's Benefit an Organisation
- Nationally recognised qualification.
- Can be used as part of a company's own training requirements.
- Records the requirment of due diligence of training.
- Specific to industry sector's standards and legistlation requirements.
- Forms elements of quality assurance and customer re-assurance procedures. Customers place more confidence in suppliers when records show staff meet nationallly recognised standards.
- Record that sucessful training has been given in specific areas specified by legislation and requirements of customers.
- Provides training records to meet customer and industry audits and inspections e.g. BRC, EFFIS and BIU.
| NVQ Level | Explanation of Levels | Who Should Do this Level |
| Level1 | Level 1 qualification recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability toapply learning with the guidance of Supervision or guidance. Learning at Level 1 is relating everyday working activities to the job to indicate competence. | Recently employed operative. Basic operative level. |
| Level2 | The Level 2 qualification recogises the ability to gain good job knowledge and understanding of a subject area of work, and to perform varied tasks with some guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building knowledge and skills in relation to job tasks and is appropriate for people able to complete man differnt job tasks. | Operatives or employees with different job roles and skills. |
| Level3 | At this level we recognise the ability to gain and as appropriate apply a range of job knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. This level is appropriate for individuals working indepentantly, or in supervising roles or above training others in their work area. | Senior operatives, Team Leaders, Lineleader, Supervisor or Quality Personnel |
How Do NVQs Benefit Individuals?
- The NVQ certificate identifies the units completed identifying the title of each one.
- The NVQ certificate is accepted within Industry as a bona fida qualification indicating competence
Competency Based
National vocational qualifications (NVQs) are work-related, competence-based qualifications. They reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively, and show that an individual is competent in the job role they work in.
National Standards
NVQs are based on national standards written by experts in the relevant industry. These standards are statements of performance requirements that describe what competent people in a particular job role are expected to be able to do. They cover all the main aspects of that job role, including:
- current best practice,
- ability to adapt to future requirements
- the knowledge and understanding that underpin competent performance..to do that job
NVQs do have to be completed in a specified amount of time. Currently this is normally agreed from the start with each individual as 9 months.
Funding availability?
Funding could be available for people meeting the Government criteria
Answering your Questions about NVQ's
- These are work related qualifications designed to show your employer or potential employer exactly what skills and abilities you have.
- NVQ's are completed in the work place of your employer.
- They are rapidly becoming established as a recognised route and are a vital aid to career progression.
- These are the questions most commonly asked about these important qualifications...
What is an NVQ?
NVQ stands for National Vocational Qualification. NVQ's are offered at different levels and show that you are able (competent) to perform specific tasks. NVQ's are associated with particular jobs but parts of them (known as units) may be relevant to more than one job.
To gain a greater understanding of this question, click here.
Where do I do an NVQ?
You complete your NVQ in your workplace in your employer's time.
Why would I or my employer be interested?
You will become a competent member of staff who will be recognised as having specific, practical skills needed by your employer to enable you to do your job. If you need futher training this can often be provided in-house, making your skills even more suitable to your workplace. Trained and qualified staff are more motivated,which can lead to increased productivity and profits for your employer.NVQ's are also recognised by your copany's customers.
How do I know I am getting a high quality qualification?
Occupational bodies, made up of employers and employee representatives, who set the standards required for NVQ's in their particular sectors will have developed your qualifications. Organisation like City & Guilds prepare different forms of assessment (ways to check your knowedge and ability). Companies who work with you to complete these qualifications will have been checked and approved.
Who checks that the standards have been met and assessed properly?
For this NVQ City & Guilds will come to the factory site and checks that you are being assessed to their standards and the systems being used meet the very strict standards. In many ways checking the specification has been met.
Will I have to do an exam?
No. A variety of methods are used to check (assess) what you know. NVQ's place much emphasis on candidates showing that they can perform tasks in the workplace, or under similar conditions that are similar as possible to those they would actually experience at work. Depending on the NVQ you are doing, there may be projects, assignments or written tests.
Is these a pass and fail system?
No. NVQ's are designed to show what you can do. So if yo meet all the requirements you are awarded your qualification.Otherwise, you will carry on working to complete the necessary units.
Do I have to complete the whole qualification in one go?
No. You can work at your own pace, collecting units for your NVQ. These will be reorded on a Certificate of Unit Credit issued by City & Guilds. When you have all the units needed for a whole qualification you will get your full NVQ certificate.
How many levels are there?
Level One: Shows competence in a range of routine and predictable work activites.
Level Two: Shows competence in a variety of work activities,some complex and non-routine. Also shows an ability to work both alone and in collaboration with others in different situations.
Level Three: Shows competance in a variety of mainly complex and non - routine work activities in differing situation, often while controlling or guiding others.
How do NVQ's compare with other qualifications like GCSE's, 'A' Levels, 'O' Levels and Higher?
These academic qualifications do not measure the same things as NVQ's but as a guide an NVQ Level 2 shows you have the same level of ability as four GCSE's at grades A to C and NVQ at Level three shows you have the same level of ability as two 'A' Levels.
Will I have to pay anything?
There is an overall registration fee and a fee for each unit you take. The fees vary depending on the qualification. These fees are paid for by the funding available or perhaps by your employer.
Are NVQ's recognised by employers in the European Union?
Each member state has its own system of qualification but NVQ's are becoming more widely known.
Who does the Certificate and Portfolio belong to?
The certificate belongs to you personally although your company may require a copy for their records. The portfolio given to you collects all your evidence and is yours to keep until the end.
Should you require any further information or have any queries please do not hesitate to get in contact with us. Contact names and number can be found on this website.
How are NVQs achieved?
NVQs are achieved through assessment and training. Assessment is normally through on-the-job observation and questioning. Candidates produce evidence to prove they have the competence (ability to do the job) to meet the NVQ standards. Assessors sign off units when the candidates are ready. The assessor assesses candidates’ knowledge, understanding and work-based performance to make sure they can demonstrate competence in the workplace.
When new candidates start an NVQ, the assessor will usually help them to:
- identify what they can do already
- agree and advise on the standard and level they are able to do
- analyse what they need to learn
- choose and plan activities that will allow them to learn what they need.
Candidates and the assessor compare their performance with the standards as they learn. They look at what they have achieved, how much they still need to do and how they should go about it, until they are assessed as competent for a unit or a whole NVQ. The system is right for candidates who already have skills and want to increase them, but also for those who are starting from the beginning. As the system is so flexible, new ways of learning can be used immediately.