FAQ's
How can I get a demonstration of the nvqonline e-portfolio?
Simple. Just telephone 01937573346 or e-mail to information@nvqonline.co.uk and we will arrange a demonstration at your own computer.
What is an NVQ?
A National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) is a qualification which is work-related, gained by you being assessed for competence at your workplace. NVQs reflect the skills and knowledge you need to perform your job effectively.
Who decides what ‘competent’ is?
NVQs are based on national occupational standards, developed by industry lead bodies and approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority [QCA]. These standards are statements of performance, broken down into ‘bite sized parts’ called units and elements, that describe what competent people in a particular occupation should be able to do.
How do I get an NVQ?
First find a local ‘provider’ organisation. This may be a college, a training company or an employer. The provider will be registered with an ‘Awarding Body’.
What is an Awarding Body?
An Awarding Body is a national organisation, approved by QCA, who control the quality of NVQ delivery, and who actually issue the NVQ Certificate. The main awarding bodies are:
City and Guilds - http://www.city-and-guilds.co.uk/
OCR - http://www.ocr.org.uk/
There are many other awarding bodies, information can be found on the QCA website http://www.qca.org.uk/
What happens when I find a ‘provider’?
The provider will register you with an awarding body, and then arrange any necessary training. You will need to develop a portfolio of evidence of your competence, and an assessor will visit you at your workplace to assess your competence by observing you at work, questioning you about your work, and perhaps asking your boss, colleagues or customers questions about your work .
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of evidence, mainly items from your routine daily work but may include photographs, case studies or projects, to illustrate your competence to the assessor. The portfolio may be hard copies in a folder, or an e-portfolio.
What is an e-portfolio?
Web sites such as www.nvqonline.co.uk provide a facility to develop your portfolio within the website. You will upload the evidence items from your own or your work computer to your own secure portfolio.
Why use an e-portfolio?
The e-portfolio is more efficient than a hard copy portfolio. It takes less time for yourself [the candidate] to prepare, saves you writing a great deal of paperwork, and enables the assessor to see your portfolio and advise you on your progress at any time and anywhere.
Is an e-portfolio suitable for me?
If you have a lot of your work already on a computer, or if you are starting from scratch [e.g. a new apprentice or trainee] and you have access to a computer with a web connection, an e-portfolio is probably best. On the other hand if you already have a large volume of ‘evidence’ on hard copy in files etc, it is probably better to develop a ‘hard copy’ portfolio.
How will I be assessed?
The assessor will visit you at your workplace several times to observe you working, ask you questions, and offer help and advice on your competence and your portfolio development. The assessor will ‘sign off’ units as you progress, and you will receive a certificate for each unit completed. When all your units are signed off you will receive the full NVQ certificate.
What if I disagree with the assessor’s decision?
The provider will give you details of their appeal process which should resolve any disputes.
Who assesses the assessor?
An ‘audit’ process is carried out by both the provider and the awarding body. The people who carry this out are called Verifiers. You may meet a verifier at an assessment session, or at a verification meeting during or after your assessment.
How much does an NVQ cost?
The cost varies from one provider to another. There may be grants available from your local Learning And Skills Council. College based NVQs may even be free for some learners. Some employers may also subsidise the costs of an NVQ if it meets their business objectives.
Who recognises the NVQ?
All employers in the UK and EU should accept a relevant NVQ as proof of competence. Outside the EU, UK gained NVQs are accepted in many countries.
How does an NVQ compare to other qualifications?
Full details are available in comparison tables on the City and Guilds http://www.city-and-guilds.co.uk/
or
OCR - http://www.ocr.org.uk/
websites. A rough guide is:
NVQ Level 1 – GCSE Grade D - G
NVQ Level 2 – GCSE grades A - C
NVQ Level 3 – ‘A’ level
NVQ Level 4 - Undergraduate
NVQ Level 5 - Graduate