Training - National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ)

What are NVQs?

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 a candidate is competent in the area of work the NVQ represents.

NVQs are based on national occupational standards. These standards are statements of performance that describe what competent people in a particular occupation are expected to be able to do. They cover all the main aspects of an occupation, including current best practice, the ability to adapt to future requirements and the knowledge and understanding that underpin competent performance.

Within reason, NVQs do not have to be completed in a specified amount of time. They can be taken by full-time employees or by school and college students with a work placement or part-time job that enables them to develop the appropriate skills. There are no age limits and no special entry requirements.

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 to meet the NVQ standards. Assessors 'sign-off' units when the candidates are ready.The assessor tests candidates’ underpinning 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 on the standard and level they are aiming for
analyse what they need to learn
choose and agree on activities that would allow them to learn what they need.

At this point, candidates might take a course if that seems the best way to learn what they need. Or they might agree with their employer or supervisor to do slightly different work to gain the evidence of competence they need.

Candidates 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.

NVQ Assessors are responsible for:

Meeting the candidate on a regular basis in their place of work
Advising the candidate on the types and range of evidence that would be acceptable
Guiding the candidate when putting their portfolio of evidence together
Undertaking observations of the candidate to prove competence of some of the Unit and Element criteria
Collecting the "witness testimony" evidence where this is being used
Assessing the evidence in the portfolio for relevance, authenticity and sufficiency
Signing off the NVQ only when the candidate has met ALL of its requirements
Completing and returning a monthly report form
Attending at least two CPD events focusing on NVQ assessment and verification
keeping up to date with their occupational competency

Careers Education and Training - National Vocational Qualifications

NVQ internal verifiers are responsible for :

Ensuring consistant reliable assessment decisions are made by NVQ assessors
Monitoring the quality of assessment and highlighting problems, trends and development needs of assessors
Verifying assessments and monitoring assessment practice
Standardising assessment judgements
Upholding and adhering to the roles and responsibilities of the internal verifier
Attending at least two CPD events annually focusing on NVQ assessment and verification
Keeping up to date with their occupational competency.

Careers Education and Training - National Vocational Qualifications verifiers.

ENTO regularly offer training courses for assessors and verifiers so it's worth checking their website for the latest events.

Definition of NVQ levels

NVQs are organised into five levels, based on the competences required. The following definitions provide a general guide to the progression from level to level and the relationship between them. Levels 1-3 are those most applicable to learners within the 14-19 phase. Achievement of level 4 within this age group will be rare. NVQs available for pre-16 use can be found on the Section 96 list.

Levels	Description
Level 1	Competence that involves the application of knowledge in the performance of a range of varied work activities, most of which are routine and predictable.
Level 2	Competence that 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, is often a requirement.
Level 3	Competence that 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.
Level 4	Competence that 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.
Level 5	Competence that 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.

Awarding Bodies

All NVQ courses are accredited by awarding bodies. Awarding bodies currently delivering NVQ3 & 4 LDSS are Edexcel and OCR. For more information go directly to their websites.

1. Edexcel

2. OCR

Learning Development and Support Services

The NOS for LDSS were commissioned by the DfES and were developed specifically in relation to the work of Education Welfare Officers, Learning Mentors and Connexions PAs. They are seen as increasingly relevant to these and other developing roles, particularly those related to student support.

The NOS LDSS recognises that there are common elements to the main job roles covered and also that there are distinct differences. The standards have a set of common statements of competence not to be confused with the www.dfes.gov.uk/commoncore plus a range of role specific ones relating to the three job roles.

Generally NOS are identified and agreed by representatives of employers through National Training Organisations (NTOs) linked into networks facilitated through the Sector Skills Councils. NASWE were represented throughout the development of the NOS as members of the steering group.

From the occupational standards the LDSS NVQ3 & 4 awards were developed.

www.dfes.gov.uk/childrenandfamilies/docs/qualification_structure.pdf

For some really useful information on supporting the development of LDSS the guidance document ticket for the future, whilst aimed at learning mentors nonetheless provides some very helpful information and links.

Ticket for the future document 4

Course Providers-NVQ4 LDSS

The following providers are those that we currently know of. The list is not exhaustive and new providers will be added over time. This section gives details of courses and where possible how much they cost, for further information link directly to the providers website. What is on offer from providers may vary and it is worth checking out what you get for your money as fees vary too.

Higher Education and Further Education providers

Lancaster University Certificate in Learning Development & Support Services for Young People and NVQ 4 in Learning Development & Support Services for Children & Young People (CETAD)

Course outline

Students will cover the following four modules:
Module 1: Multi Agency Working: Policy and Practice
Module 2: Developing Professional Practice
Module 3: Influences on Young People’s Development
Module 4: The Engagement and Guidance of Young People

The Learning Development and Support Services (LDSS) course has been designed to enable the following practitioners: Education Welfare Officers, Connexions Personal Advisers and Learning Mentors, to work within the new Occupational Standards of the Young People's Workforce.

Ideally those attending the course will be employed within the industry or will have a paid or voluntary job role that is related to: education welfare, advice and guidance or learning support. The course will enable practitioners to gain the necessary core, optional pathway and optional units to qualify as either: an Education Welfare Officer; or, a Connexions Personal Adviser; or, a Learning Mentor.

The course is dual accredited which allows students to work towards both an NVQ in Learning Development and Support Services and an HE Certificate of the same name. The course runs over a 12 month period during which time students attend 21 full day interactive workshops. The first two workshops of each module are structured so that students cover theory and skills inputs. The final two workshops of each module are designed for supporting students with portfolio building and providing time for one-to-one tutorials and assessment advice. On average students will attend 2 workshops per month.

Entry Requirements

NVQ 3 or equivalent
Experience of delivering services such as advice and guidance, learning support, education welfare and personal and social development in complex situations, for young people between the ages of 11-19.
A paid or voluntary work placement where the student has access to delivering in-depth advice, guidance, assessment and support for young people and those who care for them.

£2150 per person which includes:

registration, certification, workshops, assessment, workplace observations and internal verification. Payment may be made by monthly instalments.

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