NVQ FAQ

What are NVQs?

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are an ideal solution for supporting Continuous Professional Development policy and giving your employees the opportunity to gain work-related, competency based qualifications.

NVQs are developed against National Occupational Standards to ensure that, once completed, learners can demonstrate sufficient knowledge and skills to show that they are competent in their chosen field of work, increasing the skills, knowledge, performance and motivation of your employees.

What are the benefits of an NVQ?

FSC’s NVQ programmes provide employers with a wealth of benefits which include:

They are tailor made to focus on developing the skills that your employees use the most.

They are designed to recognise the work that your employees already do within their role and, if they have completed previous training, this can be used as knowledge evidence.

They recognise that your employees have reached a recognised, national standard for their occupation.

They help your employees to gain the specialist skills and knowledge needed to raise their performance and be more effective and efficient at work.

They help to increase your employee’s confidence at work, and their ability to learn and develop.

They are delivered by assessors who are specialists in their field and will provide your employees with an opportunity to discuss and share experience so that they can learn from best practice.

They provide your employees with a clear progression route for their personal development.

They are flexible and can be designed to fit around your business requirements.

Who is eligible?

Any employees above the age of 16 could be eligible for completing an NVQ but funding eligibility does play a part in whom FSC can invite onto our NVQ programmes.

To study towards an NVQ your employees must be:

• 16 years or older.
• Living in England.
• Employed status.
• Not in full time education, or hold a degree level qualification.

How are NVQs achieved?

NVQs are made up of units that represent National Occupational Standards. There are no formal examinations in an NVQ, but your employees need to demonstrate their ability to do their job competently.

To complete each unit your employees must go through a series of assessments and taught sessions.

Teaching and learning consists of taught theoretical knowledge followed by activities, group work, or assignments. Your employee’s understanding is then normally assessed in practice through ‘on the job’ observation and questioning. Once an assessor is satisfied that they have displayed the required level of competence the units are signed off.

One of the key features of FSC’s NVQ programmes is our flexibility. Our assessors are equipped to identify the best route for your employees. So no matter what their learning style or working and shift patterns, our assessors will develop a programme that meets both your needs and your employees’ needs.

What NVQ Programmes are available?

• Advice and Guidance.
• Business Administration.
• Customer Service.
• Health and Social Care.
• Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).
• Retail.
• Assessor’s Award (A1).
• Verifier’s Award (V1).

If you want to find out further information, please call us on 0191 262 8029 or request a call back.