National Vocational Qualifications ...

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ's) are practical qualifications based on national standards for occupational and are 'competence-based' qualifications. Trainees learn practical, work-related tasks designed to help them develop the skills and knowledge to do their job effectively.

NVQs are at levels 1 to 5 on the National Qualifications Framework (which shows how different types of qualifications compare, in terms of the demands they place on learners). LT&RC no longer delivers the NVQ, but can signpost you to organisations who can help you gain the qualification.

There are five NVQ levels. You will be assessed against level 2. This means:

 

You will be allocated an Assessor (who has relevant experience);You will need to collect records of your assessments in a file (also known as a portfolio) which will be submitted for the award;Additional records of work evidence are placed in your file;The quality of the assessor's work is checked by an Internal Verifier and an External Verifier from the body that awards the certificates.

There are no exams to sit. Instead, NVQ’s are not about how good you are at your work. The minimum time an NVQ can take to complete is ten weeks from the point of course registration.

Each NVQ award is made up of units of competence (for example, the Community Warden NVQ). The NVQ Level 2 in Community Warden Occupations is made up of 8 units (6 mandatory units and 2 optional units).

The Mandatory Units:

 

Ensure your own actions reduce the risks to Health & Safety;Plan, organise and improve your work;Contribute to maintaining safe and secure public places;Develop customer relationships;Receive and provide information within the community;Support community needs.

Optional Units:

 

Maintain the physical environment of estates;Control the use of resources;Maintain observations of parking areas;Identify and respond to breaches in parking regulations;Maintain and use databases & mobile voice communication equipment;Produce documents using word processing software;Support the work of your team;Minimise and deal with aggressive and abusive behaviour;Provide witness statements of breaches of law and regulations;Produce documents manually.

There are many reasons for undertaking an NVQ:

 

Recognition that you are doing your job well;Acknowledgement that you are performing to national standards;The NVQ qualification provides a good basis for career progression;NVQ’s speak volumes about your enthusiasm, practical skills, abilities and experience.

NVQ’s show your employer what you are capable of.

Please note, LT&RC no longer delivers the NVQ, but can signpost you to organisations who can help you gain the qualification.