Posts tagged nvq course
NVQ courses – Give your career a boost!
Give your career a kick
It’s 9am and you’re arriving for working wondering why you bother with this mundane job. Then you remember that there are bills to pay and you resign yourself to a day of tasks you’d rather not do! So why are you putting up with this lousy job instead of kick starting your career by completing a course? NVQ courses, amongst many, are designed to improve your chances of earning more money by training you whilst you work. Sounds too good to be true?
NVQ courses have been around for many years and were designed to act like apprenticeships, where you learn on the job to perfect a particular skill. Now, there are hundreds of NVQ courses to choose from, so it’s likely that there will be a course in your particular field.
All you need to do is speak to your employer (usually your manager) about whether the company would be prepared to support you in completing a course. With an NVQ, there will be assessments and interactions with other members of staff, so your company will need to be on board with your decision. An NVQ assessor will need to support you in order to gain your certificate at the end of the course, so you will need to contact the relevant NVQ awarding organisation to arrange this.
Companies can pay for NVQ courses if they feel the business, as a whole, will benefit. Otherwise you may have to financially support yourself along the course (and some can take a few years to complete).
It’s well worth investigating, as it could mean the difference between an assistant role and a management role.
NVQ courses business guide for employers – by Ofqual
Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) have put together an NVQ business guide for employers to consider when choosing the correct NVQ model.
Taken from the NVQ business guide:
“This guide has been developed as a tool to assist organisations when they are considering NVQ implementation.
Its purpose is to:
• Encourage employers to identify the difference that the introduction of occupational standards can make to their organisation.
• Help them to recognise that there are a variety of models for NVQ implementation depending on the organisation’s culture, structure, business size, priorities etc.
What is right for implementing NVQs in one organisation may not work for another. Organisations may also require different implementation routes for different occupational areas within their company.
Best practice NVQ implementation is based on the organisation fully understanding the potential of occupational standards and how these relate to their business objectives. This ensures the effect on the business can be accurately evaluated at the end of the process.”
Active IQ Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Leisure Management course
Introduction
This qualification is designed for learners to prove their competency, knowledge and skills in dealing with the performance of other staff, the well-being and safety of customers, as well as the day-to day operation of a sport and recreation facility.
Entry requirements
There are no specific pre-requisite qualifications but there is an element of communication (discussing, presenting, reading and writing) involved and learners should have basic skills in communication pitched at Level 2. As this is a competency qualification learners need to be assessed in the workplace.
Qualification structure and credit value
The learner must achieve all 34 credits from all 11 mandatory units, plus a minimum of 2 credits from any Group A optional units, and a minimum of 5 credits from any Group B optional units.
Mandatory Units
The learner must achieve all 34 credits from all 11 mandatory units.
(download PDF below for more details on units)
Assessment
- Multiple Choice question paper • Worksheets
- Work Based Practical Observation
- Coursework/ portfolio of evidence
For full details, including pricing and learning hours, please download Active IQ NVQ course PDF
Taxi company requested staff to take NVQ course in Road Passenger Transport
A Sussex taxi company has requested a number of the company’s drivers to take an NVQ course in Road Passenger Transport (Level 2). The company, based in Sussex, want more of their drivers to adapt to their roles and feel the NVQ course is best suited in getting them up to speed.
The NVQ course was such a success, all 80 drivers are now going to complete the level 2 NVQ course!
A snapshot of the 4 month NVQ level 2 course in Road Passenger Transport includes:
– disability awareness
– dealing with emergencies
– good customer service
The company’s administration team will also take an NVQ course in customer service and administration.
NVQ course portfolios/ePortfolios – what should I include?
NVQ courses – what are portfolios?
When taking an NVQ course, it’s important that all achievements are logged so that all evidence of tasks performed is kept in one place. The portfolio can be on paper or in the form of an ePortfolio, stored online, or you can use both formats.
It’s crucial that the portfolio is well organized and easy to follow – your NVQ assessor should be able to help you. Tracking sheets can be included so information within your portfolio can be found. The point is that when it comes to being finally assessed you need the content in your portfolio to be easy to find. You certainly don’t want crucial evidence disappearing under a heap of loose papers.
The evidence included must demonstrate your abilities, so don’t be too concerned about adding irrelevant content such as training manuals for example. Keep in mind that the evidence included should demonstrate your abilities and nothing else.
Usually you will need to include the ‘Declaration of Authenticity’ which is signed by the NVQ course student to state that the portfolio work is their own.
So how should I plan my portfolio/ePortfolio?
Firstly, it is advisable that you discuss all course content with your NVQ assessor or employer:
-discuss the course content (units) and the order in which you would like to complete them.
– read through all information related to each unit and ensure you understand what is being asked of you.
– perhaps you can put together evidence of tasks/work that cover multiple units.
– collecting evidence can be time consuming and needs forethought, so it’s advisable to plan ahead.
-discuss how to gain evidence with relevant members of staff involved so they can make adequate time for you.
– it’s essential you are clear of your unit objectives and gather the relevant evidence.
So what should I include in my portfolio/ePortfolio
– (if paper based) ensure you include your name, centre/employer, and NVQ course details at the front.
– (if online based) carefully name each file and keep all files together in one folder so the relevant documents can be found easily. Each unit can have its own folder.
– Each unit should be clearly signed off by verifiers and assessors. A contents sheet with all signed off units is advised.
– Declaration of authenticity, as mentioned before, should be signed off by you stating that all the work is your own.
– Include your CV so any verifiers and NVQ assessors are aware of your employment/academic history. Be sure to highlight all tasks/roles undertaken.
– You may want to include a departmental chart depicting your current role and members of staff who you report to and who reports to you.
– Include all details of witnesses and how they are involved with your course.
– You may want to include an index for all evidence collected so each piece is easily found.
What can I use for evidence?
– Word documents – witness/personal statements, emails and other correspondence (if applicable).
– Spreadsheets – observations, Q&As
– Audio content of performance conversations
Businessman keen on bringing back NVQ cabinet making course
Youth unemployment has been rife for a number of years. Degree courses have clearly become saturated with students compelled to gain a degree in order to further their prospects. However, companies are screaming out for young apprentices to join and learn on the job.
Piers Hart runs his own furniture making company (Piers Hart and Company) in Barnham since the 1970s and is now fearful of declining NVQ courses such as the NVQ cabinet-making courses which local colleges were providing. Due to low demand for this course, colleges have decided not to offer the course, but company owners such as Mr Hart are disappointed and are keen for youngsters to learn these skills.
After all, the UK could do with a manufacturing boost instead of relying on imports from other companies.
NVQ Courses in Health and Social Care
Are you always concerned about people’s well being? Are you working in healthcare and would like to obtain some official qualifications?
One of the most popular NVQ courses is Health and Social Care, designed to enable you to deliver care of an excellent standard, understand the responsibilities required and ensuring those in care are in a safe environment. Typically, these are the requirements for each NVQ courses level:
NVQ courses Level 2 Health and Social Care
– for those assisting and giving essential care to people.
– typical jobs at this level are community support assistant and care assistants (day care or residential).
NVQ courses Level 3
– for those performing specific tasks and responsible for care workers.
– typical jobs at this level would include home care organisers and senior/health care workers.
NVQ courses Level 4
– for those in management.
One main requirement is that you are already in employment (paid or voluntary) and sometimes your employer can sponsor NVQ courses. Depending on your situation, your tutor will either support you at work or offer you a centre to go to.
NVQ courses such as this may be free if your situation qualifies or you may be entitled to Government subsidisation.
Length of time to complete the NVQ Health and Social Care course
This course may take 12 months, but more than likely sooner.
Documents to consider downloading from the City & Guilds official website:
NVQ Level 2 Standards and assessment requirements
NVQ Level 3 Adults pathway: Standards and assessment requirements
NVQ Level 4 Adults pathway: Standards and assessment requirements