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| National Vocational Qualifications & Scottish Vocational Qualifications | |
What are they?
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National
Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and their equivalents in Scotland, Scottish
Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) show that the people holding these
certificates are competent at their jobs. They are available for virtually all occupations including
technicians, engineers, training personnel, safety officers, administrators
and of course, managers. |
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They are
based on internationally recognised occupational
standards, which clearly describe what is expected of people working
in various occupations. They provide
criteria to assess whether someone is performing competently, and they
specify the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills, which are
essential for competent performance. |
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NVQs/SVQs are awarded at one of
five levels, reflecting the level of complexity, responsibility and autonomy
of the job. Level 1 is the simplest
and Level 5 is the most complex and demanding. |
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In order to obtain an NVQ/SVQ, you
must provide evidence to prove that you consistently perform your job to
these standards. You must also show
that you have the knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to perform
in a range of other contexts should the situation arise. |
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Definitions
of NVQ/SVQ Levels
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NVQs and SVQs are organised into a coherent
classification based on the competence levels required, the following
definitions provide a general guide. |
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Levels
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Definitions
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Level 1 |
Competence which involves the application of
knowledge in the performance of a range of varied work activities, most of
which may be routine and predictable. |
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Level 2 |
Competence which involves the application of
knowledge in a significant range of varied work activities, performed in a
variety of contexts. Some of these
activities are complex or non-routine and there is some individual
responsibility or autonomy. Collaboration
with others, perhaps through membership of a work group or team, may often be
a requirement. |
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Level 3 |
Competence which involves the application of
knowledge in a broad range of varied work activities, performed in a wide
variety of contexts, most of which are complex and non-routine. There is considerable responsibility and
autonomy and control or guidance of others is often required. |
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Level 4 |
Competence which involves the application of
knowledge in a broad range of complex, technical, or professional work
activities performed in a variety of contexts and with a substantial degree
of personal responsibility and autonomy. Responsibility for the work of others and the allocation of
resources is often present. |
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Level 5 |
Competence which involves the application of a range
of fundamental principles across a wide and often unpredictable variety of
contexts. Very substantial personal
autonomy and often significant responsibility for the work of others and for
the allocation of substantial resources features strongly, as do personal
accountabilities for analysis, diagnosis, design, planning, execution and
evaluation. |
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Definition:
NVQs/SVQs are work |
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NVQs/SVQs reflect the skills and
knowledge needed to do a job effectively |
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NVQs/SVQs represent national
standards recognised by employers throughout the world |
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If you have a National
Vocational Qualification (NVQ) it shows that you can do the work for which it
has been awarded to national standards. It means you are competent in this kind of work. NVQs/SVQs are qualifications
for work and show you can actually do a job, and not simply that you know how
to do it in theory.
They are made up of units, which describe the skills
and knowledge needed to do a job effectively. |
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In what ways are
these qualifications different?
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Academic
qualifications - certificates, diplomas, degrees and the like - show that
those holding these qualifications possess certain knowledge and have
particular qualities, such as a capacity for rational thought, and the
ability to seek out, remember and use information effectively. Academic students are required to study a
defined body of knowledge over an agreed period of time and they are often
assessed by means of examination, dissertation or continuous assessment of
specified pieces of work. |
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Vocational
qualifications, on the other hand, focus on your performance at work and how
you use your skills and apply your knowledge and the resources available to
achieve results. There are no
examinations or dissertations. You
simply have to provide evidence to convince your assessor that you
consistently meet the performance criteria in the Standards. |
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What are the
benefits?
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There are many benefits in getting involved with
NVQs, both for individuals and employers. They can, for example, help women returning to work, as they can
draw on previously acquired skills to reach an NVQ level of competence. |
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Benefits for Individuals |
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NVQs/SVQs can help you prepare for
work or help your career development. |
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NVQs/SVQs
are achieved through the demonstration of skills. Getting an NVQ/SVQ shows
you can do a job to national standards and have the up-to-date skills
employers are looking for. In terms
of work, a qualification that proves you can do a job competently is a
valuable possession. |
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With NVQs/SVQs the practice is as
important as the theory - they show what you can do as well as what you know.
NVQs/SVQs are therefore much more
than courses. You don't have to sit
through hours, days, weeks or even years of a course, and there are no exams
at the end. NVQs/SVQs are about
putting learning into practice. |
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This doesn't mean that you can't take courses to
achieve an NVQ/SVQ. Another benefit
is that NVQs/SVQs are flexible - you can do an NVQ/SVQ as part of your normal
job, work towards one at college or through open learning and private study,
or a combination of these. |
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There are virtually no limits with
NVQs/SVQs - no time limits (although an NVQ/SVQ gained over a period of
years, for example, would bring the currency of competence into question), no
age limits and no special entry requirements. |
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Benefits for Employers |
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Employers play a vital role in deciding the
standards for NVQs/SVQs - so they really meet employers' needs. |
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NVQs/SVQs can help you improve
productivity and competitiveness. Many major companies use NVQs/SVQs and find
them valuable tools for business and employee development. They report significant benefits in terms
of improved employee performance and motivation; lower staff turnover; better
staff-supervisor relations; improved staff recruitment and that NVQs/SVQs
give them the opportunity to benchmark standards and provide training which
can be more specifically targeted to needs. |
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NVQs/SVQs make sure your employees have the skills
and knowledge to meet the company's business needs. |
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Who are NVQs/SVQs designed for?
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NVQs/SVQs are available to anyone
at any age or stage of their career - and there are no entry qualifications.
NVQs/SVQs are flexible and accessible - within reasonable limits, you can
decide the pace, place and way in which you learn. |
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For more information on specific NVQs/SVQs click on
the relevant link below: |
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Administration
VQ |
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Health
& Safety VQ |
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For further information on NVQs please contact our Training Manager |
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