NVQ’s are work-related, competence based qualifications. 

They reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively and represent national standards recognized by employees through out the country

NVQ level 1

Competence levels required

• Basic literacy and numeric skills
• Ability to communicate in group and one to one situations
• Show interest in the subject
• Be able to meet any physical demands of work activity.
• Be able to undertake routine and predictable work activities following clearly defined procedures.

Attendance and study

At assessment centers

• 3 days a week for 12 – 18 months (cannot exceed 36 months)

At work

• Attendance at an assessment center for 1 day or 1/2 evening for 1-2 years.

Extras

• Specialized equipment/clothing may be needed
• Stationery/text books
• It may be necessary to attend professional exhibitions/events and educational visits.

Costs:  range from £100 - £400, often paid by employers

Courses are usually free to those receiving state benefits.

Equivalent to:

• GCSE/O levels D-G (or fewer than 5 passes at A-C)
• BTEC First Certificate
• Seen as occupational foundation skill.

Progress to

• NVQ level 2

NVQ level 2

Competence levels required

• Basic literacy and numeric skills
• Ability to communicate in group and one to one situations
• Show interest in the industry and show willingness to work in it
• Be able to meet any physical demands of work activity.
• Be competent in a significant range of complex and non-routine work activities
• Be able to work alone and with others
• Be able to take responsibility within defined procedures.

Attendance and study – tremendous variety

At assessment centers

• Part-time – equivalent of 1 day a week
• Full-time – 3-4 days per week preferably with one day or work placement for 36 weeks

At work

• Candidates need to make a collection of evidence of their competence in their work and submit it in a portfolio for assessment

Extra qualification may be required

• For example, First Aid/Food Hygiene/Manual Handling

Extras

• Specialized equipment/clothing may be needed
• Stationery/text books/consumable materials.
• May include professional exhibitions/events/educational visits/competitions

Costs:  range from £200 - £800, often paid by employers

Courses are usually free to those receiving state benefits, but may not get help with extras.  Some assessment centers have access funds for help with these.

Equivalent to:

• 5 + GCSE/O levels A-C
• 1 A level or 2/3 AS Levels.
• BTEC First Diploma with merits/distinctions
• Seen as conferring operative or semi-skilled status.

Progress to

• NVQ level 3
• GCSE or A Level

NVQ level 3

Competence levels required

• NVQ 2 / GCSE

• Mature and experienced candidates will often be accepted without formal qualifications particularly if they have experience in relevant occupation
• Support of Employer with access to a range of opportunities to generate a variety of evidence for portfolio.
• Be able to take responsibility for supervising/guiding others.
• Be able to take responsibility for applying knowledge in a wide variety of contexts, most of which are non-routine and complex tasks.

Attendance and study – tremendous variety.  Usually completed within 18 to 24 months.

At assessment centers

• Full-time – 3-4 days per week with a period of work experience.
• Candidates need to make a collection of evidence of their competence in their work and submit it in a portfolio.  Written assignments can be used to enable candidates to demonstrate competence.

At work

• Candidates need to make a collection of evidence of their competence in their work and submit it in a portfolio for assessment with guidance from NVQ Assessor.
• Day release once a week or possibly college workshop several times a year.
• If it is not possible to take time off work, 5/6 hours a week will be needed of spare time.

Extra qualification may be required

• For example, First Aid/Food Hygiene/Manual Handling

Extras

• Specialized equipment/clothing may be needed
• Stationery/text books/consumable materials.
• May include professional exhibitions/events/educational visits/competitions

Costs:  range from £200 - £1,400, sometimes paid by employers

Courses are usually free to those receiving state benefits, but may not get help with extras.  Some assessment centers have access funds for help with these. (candidates for NVQ 3 are normally in employment)

Equivalent to:

• 2 or more A Level s
• 3/4 AS Levels.
• BTEC National Diploma
• City and Guilds Advanced Craft Diploma
• Seen as indicating technician, craft, and skilled and supervisory status.

Progress to

• NVQ level 4
• GCSE or A Level, with university as ultimate aim

NVQ level 4

Competence levels required

• NVQ 3 or equivalent
• Ideally 2/3 years work experience managing people, resources or information.
• Support of Employer with access to a range of opportunities to generate a variety of evidence for portfolio.
• Be able to take responsibility for staff, large areas of work, allocation of resources, planning and budgets.
• Be able to demonstrate personal responsibility for competence in applying knowledge in a broad range of complex, technical or professional work activities.

Attendance and study – tremendous variety.  Usually completed within 18 to 24 months.

Candidates not in employment will be unable to complete this level.

Assessment Centers

·         Many organize portfolio-building workshops.

At work

• Independent working to collect and organize portfolio of evidence.

Extras

• Candidates at this level are considered to be experienced professionals and demonstrate this in their dress and attitude to others.
• Usually need public speaking/presentation skills
• Attendance/contributions to professional meetings
• Membership of appropriate professional bodies.

Costs:  range from £500 - £1,600, sometimes employers is willing to meet all/part of fees.

Equivalent to:

• First degree
• BTEC National HNC/HND and teaching qualifications in work environment.
• Seen as technical or professional high ability junior/middle managers

Progress to

• NVQ level 5

·         MA or MSc

NVQ level 5

Competence levels required

• NVQ 4 or equivalent
• To be employed in middle/senior managerial role
• Be competent in applying fundamental principles in a wide variety of unpredictable situations. 
• Have considerable personal autonomy
• Have significant responsibilities for the work of others and for the allocation of substantial resources.
• Be able to analysis, diagnose, design, implement, execute and evaluate.

Attendance and study – No regular patterns

• Independent working to collect and organize portfolio of evidence
• Usually completed within 2 years.

Extras

• Candidates at this level are considered to be very experienced professionals and demonstrate this in their dress and attitude to others.
• High level of public speaking/presentation skills
• Attendance/contributions to professional meetings
• Membership of appropriate professional bodies.

Costs:  range from £1.000 - £2,000 +, sometimes employers are willing to meet all/part of fees.

Equivalent to:

• MA or Msc

Seen as experienced and capable managers with chartered/professional status.

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