Assessment Procedures for NVQ, NVQ Units and VRQ Awards
The changes in the Waste Management regulatory requirements following the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007, which came into force on 6 April 2008, gave rise to different approaches in learning and assessment techniques to meet the various Technical Competence arrangements depending on the type of site and the type of qualification selected.
Award Types:
There are two types of award: NVQ and VRQ. They differ in the learning process and the assessment techniques employed.
NVQs and NVQ Unit based awards:
These awards utilise ‘Work Based Assessment' as the primary means to determine competence.
An assessor will visit the candidate in their workplace, carry out observations and review evidence produced by the candidate to determine the acceptable standard.
Generally, candidates that favour NVQ based awards will prefer to demonstrate their competence on-the-job, where a variety of learning techniques can be accommodated over a period of time. The method by which the candidate acquires his/her knowledge is not important. The candidate is assessed to meet that occupation competence requirements through performance and demonstrate of knowledge in the working environment.
Candidates generate evidence over a period of time with periodic visits by the assessor which are agreed to take place at a mutually convenient time.
VRQs, Vocationally Related Qualifications, are based on classroom delivery of pre-determined course materials.
The subject matter is taught in a more structured and formal manner than with the NVQs. At the completion of training for each Unit, the Unit Assessment is based on the candidate taking a written test for that Unit. The VRQ comprises 6 Units (and 6 tests), and then at the end of the course the Candidate completes a written assignment of between 3500 and 4000 words based on a scenario of an operational site. This Assignment is designed to demonstrate how the candidate can implement their learning within a typical waste management facility. This can be an active site, or a site that has yet to be permitted. In this way the award can cater for managers where the facility is not yet operational.
VRQs will favour those candidates who prefer a more structured approach to learning and the associated assessment process. VRQs are also ideal for those persons who are newcomers to the Waste Management Sector and require to gain knowledge and understanding in a short timescale.