National Vocational Qualifications

Introduction to National Vocational Qualifications

A Guide for Employers Investing in People

Improving the skills of the workforce is necessary to keep pace with the new technologies that are affecting the waste management industry. Skills, qualifications and competence are elements that all feed into improving the quality of services and competitiveness. Qualifications are not an end in themselves, but provide the platform for learning and continuous improvement, both in terms of career development and corporate objectives.

To help industries and their employees cope with these changes, new qualifications for work have emerged, known as Scottish Vocational Qualifications (S/NVQs) (Scotland), and National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) (England, Wales & Northern Ireland).

Individuals completing S/NVQs gain skills, knowledge and a better understanding of their job. They also gain documentary proof of their abilities to show prospective employers and regulators.

Business benefits

Business growth depends on producing high quality products and services, and these depend on people's skills and commitment to the business. S/NVQs can help to encourage people to work to their full ability. Many companies have noticed that employees working towards S/NVQs are more confident. Any company, whether in the public or private sector, that is committed to investing in its people by training and developing them to their full potential, will benefit from reduced staff turnover and the significant associated costs of recruitment and retraining.

S/NVQs encourage employers to make sure they have the up-to-date skills they need to compete with other businesses. The wide range of qualifications and the clear structure of the S/NVQ system assist employers in choosing the right kind of training for their employees. It is easy to measure success - if people have an S/NVQ, they have the skills to do the job. Further information on benefits can be obtained from WAMITAB Newssheet No 14 and from COTC.

Flexible qualifications

Anyone can do S/NVQs, and it is up to individuals where and when they learn - at work, at college, or even in their spare time. However, assessment for the relevant award is work based. They can choose from more than 600 subjects covering almost every area of work: from horse care to bricklaying, and from insurance to journalism.

S/NVQs are generally available at five levels - from Level 1, which covers basic work activities, to Levels 4 & 5, which are senior management and professional qualifications; waste management S/NVQs are currently available at levels 1-4. All S/NVQ is made up of units, which set out exactly what tasks are required for each level and how well they have to be done. To obtain an S/NVQ at their chosen level, individuals need to gain all the relevant units. But they can gain the units one by one, through being set targets that enable them to build up the S/NVQ at their own pace, until they achieve the full award.

Designed by Employers, for Employers

Employers play a vital role in deciding what goes into S/NVQs. Since 1986, industrial and professional organisations (led by employers who know exactly what skills are needed to do each job well) have set the standards for thousands of jobs across their own industries and professions. These standards have then been developed into S/NVQs for the Waste Management Industry by awarding bodies such as those operated by WAMITAB and Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). As a result, S/NVQs really do meet employers' needs.

An S/NVQ demonstrates the employee has achieved the necessary standard of competence as defined by employers.

The S/NVQ advantage

So what exactly are the benefits of the S/NVQ system? S/NVQs can help employers to:

Five out of six people working today will still be in the same work in three years' time. Investing in people now is good for a company's future.

Meeting people's needs

S/NVQs offer something for everyone by removing previous barriers to learning. How do they do this?

S/NVQs recognise the need for equal opportunities, so there is help for people with physical disabilities, sight or hearing problems, or learning difficulties. Help may include physical, mechanical or technical aids, extra time for assessment, or special ways of assessment.

Practice not theory

Many people were put off learning by traditional old-style qualifications where theory was considered more important than practice. They have memories of hours spent sitting behind a desk and having to take written exams to prove what they know.

S/NVQs put practice first and foremost. They are about doing a job to an agreed standard, not just passing exams. Whether people learn at work or in a college, S/NVQs give them the opportunity to prove themselves against national standards. This is done by carrying out their normal job at work and it may include doing projects and course work, or taking part in discussions. If people already have relevant skills and knowledge, these can count towards their qualifications.

S/NVQs offer a flexible, practical way of learning, and give the satisfaction of achieving a qualification.

Career path

There is no doubt that having the right qualifications helps a person to get the right job. S/NVQs offer a chance to develop and show knowledge and skills, and improve chosen career prospects.

If a person is just starting work, S/NVQs can show the skills they are developing.

If a person has been in a job for a while, S/NVQs can improve their chances of promotion by showing their employer what they can do.

If a person is changing jobs, S/NVQs can show a new employer that they have the right skills and experience.

If a person is going back to work after a career break, S/NVQs can include their relevant experience and achievements.

Employers all over the country recognise the value of S/NVQs - many major companies now use S/NVQs to make sure an employee has the skills and knowledge to meet their business needs.

Getting an S/NVQ

Individuals are assessed on whatever shows most clearly that they can carry out their work to the S/NVQ standard.

S/NVQs set out what has to be done to carry out a job well. Unlike many older qualifications, they are not assessed by written tests, but include the evaluation of projects, course work, discussions and observation of relevant work experience.

Each S/NVQ is made up of a number of units, which set out the standards needed for a particular range of activities. All the units must be achieved to obtain a full S/NVQ, but each unit is also a mini-qualification on its own. Once individuals have shown they can meet the standards for a unit, they get a unit credit and can get a certificate. This means that if they don't finish the whole qualification, or if they want to take a career break, they still have something to show for their work. If they want to go back later to finish the S/NVQ, they can use their unit credits.

This unit-by-unit approach enables individuals to set themselves clear training targets and work at their own speed. Success means showing they can do a job to the required standard.

A flexible approach

S/NVQs are designed in a user friendly way to encourage as many people as possible to want to train and get qualified in their chosen career.

S/NVQs are about meeting the real demands of work. Therefore assessment takes place at work. This opens up S/NVQs for those who don't want to sit written exams.

It doesn't matter whether the skills and knowledge are developed at college or at work. As long as individuals show they can meet the standards set out in the S/NVQ units at their own pace of work, they will get their S/NVQ.

It doesn't matter if an S/NVQ is achieved all at once or in stages. There are no time limits and the unit-by-unit approach means that people can develop skills at a pace that suits them.