NVQ Overview

ABOUT NVQS

Our NVQs are delivered through the awarding body EDI. They are one of the largest awarders of accredited vocational qualifications in the UK and have been involved in providing qualifications for employment for over 100 years. They award over 140,000 vocational qualification certificates every year.

The vocational qualifications are developed in collaboration with industry and are used by students and employers as a benchmark for practical skills and quality.

Our NVQ qualifications are accredited on the National Qualifications Framework and are eligible for funding. The qualifications are also accredited on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).

In addition, The Training Forum provides a wide range of other courses and services across most business sectors.

WHAT IS A NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION?

National Vocational Qualifications are developed from National Occupational Standards that are based on typical job responsibilities within an industry.

Each standard is an individual unit of competence. The unit describes an area of an individual’s job role and the industry standard that is required.

NVQs are work-based qualifications that assess an individual’s competence to do a job.

NVQs differ from more traditional qualifications in the following ways: ?

There are no formal entry requirements; learners are not required to have any prior qualifications to achieve the NVQ. Learners are principally assessed on their ability to do the job, rather than by means of examinations. Assessment is via a portfolio of evidence

They can be gained in a variety of ways:

• They take account of previous experience
• They allow individuals to work at their own pace
• Assessment is undertaken, where possible, in the work environment
• Each unit can be achieved individually as a Unit of Credit; the full NVQ is awarded when the required number of units has been achieved
• The NVQ is based on the National Occupational Standards and is recognised by the relevant industry.

HOW ARE NVQS ASSESSED?

Assessment is the process used to judge a learner’s competence at work.

NVQ from Induction to certification

A full NVQ induction will be given to all new candidates at the start of their NVQ, this is to ensure that all NVQ terminology is understood and the process is kept simple and easy to understand, our trainers are there to help you to achieve your qualification in a friendly and stress free environment.

The assessor is usually the person who is responsible for providing training to the candidate (if required), and who has the greatest number of opportunities to observe a candidates performance. The assessor may be a work place supervisor.

Assessors must be trained and qualified. They base their judgments on the candidate’s performance and decide how it compares with the National Occupational Standard. The assessor will also ask the candidate questions based on the knowledge required to do the work to ascertain the candidates understanding of the job role.

When all of the required units have been completed and the assessor is satisfied that the candidate has met the National Occupational Standard, a recommendation for certification will be made.

At this stage an Internal Verifier checks the assessor’s decision. An Internal Verifier is responsible for the quality assurance of NVQs within the training organisation. The Internal Verifier provides advice and support to the assessors and ensures that the assessors apply the standards consistently and fairly. The Internal Verifier will see the learner’s portfolio of evidence and observe the assessment process.

Next an External Verifier, who is appointed by EDI, will verify that the process has been through and transparent at every stage leading up to and including the candidate’s certification. This includes the assessment and internal verification decisions involved in the development of the candidate’s portfolio.