QCA  On 1 October 1997 the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) merged with the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (SCAA) to form the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). QCA has a wider remit than any previous education or training body, including pre-school learning, the national curriculum for 5-16 year olds, national tests for 7, 11 and 14 year olds, GCSEs, A-levels, GNVQs, NVQs and higher level vocational qualifications.

QCA can co-ordinate education and training more effectively than was possible than in the past, allowing the UK, for the first time, to bring together academic and vocational qualifications of all kinds.

SQA  The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) was set up in April 1997 following the merger of the Scottish Vocational and Education Council (SCOTVEC) and the Scottish Examining Board (SEB). Unlike QCA, it has both accrediting and awarding body responsibilities.

Definitions of NVQ levels NVQs and SVQs are organised into a coherent classification based on the competence levels required. The following definitions provide a general guide and are not intended to be prescriptive.

Levels	Definitions
Level 1	Competence which involves the application of knowledge in the performance of a range of varied work activities, most of which may be routine and predictable.
Level 2	Competence which involves the application of knowledge in a significant range of varied work activities, performed in a variety of contexts. Some of these activities are complex or non-routine and there is some individual responsibility or autonomy. Collaboration with others, perhaps through membership of a work group or team, may often be a requirement.
Level 3	Competences which involves the application of knowledge in a broad range of varied work activities performed in a wide variety of contexts, most of which are complex and non-routine. There is considerable responsibility and autonomy and control or guidance of others is often required.
Level 4	Competence which involves the application of knowledge in a broad range of complex, technical or professional work activities performed in a variety of contexts and with a substantial degree of personal responsibility and autonomy. Responsibility for the work of others and the allocation of resources is often present.
Level 5	Competence which involves the application of a range of fundamental principles across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts. Very substantial personal autonomy and often significant responsibility for the work of others and for the allocation of substantial resources features strongly, as do personal accountabilities for analysis, diagnosis, design, planning, execution and evaluation.

Definition: NVQs are work-related, competence based qualifications

NVQs reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively

NVQs represent national standards recognised by employers throughout the country

If you have a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) it shows that you can do the work for which it has been awarded to national standards. It means you are competent in this kind of work.

NVQs are qualifications for work and show you can actually do a job, and not simply that you know how to do it in theory.

They are made up of units which describe the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively.

The relationship between NVQ levels and academic qualifications  Vocational and academic qualifications are different in terms of measuring knowledge and skills. It is better to think in terms of broad comparability rather than equivalency between  vocational and academic  qualifications.

What can NVQs do for me?  There are many benefits in getting involved with NVQs, both for individuals and employers. They can, for example, help women returning to work, as they can draw on previously acquired skills to reach an NVQ level of competence.

Benefits for Individuals NVQs can help you prepare for work or help your career development.

NVQs are achieved through the demonstration of skills. Getting an NVQ shows you can do a job to national standards and have the up-to-date skills employers are looking for. In terms of work, a qualification that proves you can do a job competently is a valuable possession.

With NVQs the practice is as important as the theory - they show what you can do as well as what you know. NVQs are therefore much more than courses. You don't have to sit through hours, days, weeks or even years of a course, and there are no exams at the end. NVQs are about putting learning into practice.

This doesn't mean that you can't take courses to achieve an NVQ. Another benefit is that NVQs are flexible - you can do an NVQ as part of your normal job, work towards one at college or through open learning and private study, or a combination of these.

There are virtually no limits with NVQs - no time limits (although an NVQ gained over a period of years, for example, would bring the currency of competence into question), no age limits and no special entry requirements.

Benefits for Employers Employers play a vital role in deciding the standards for NVQs - so they really meet employers needs.

NVQs can help you improve productivity and competitiveness. Many major companies use NVQs and find them valuable tools for business and employee development. They report significant benefits in terms of improved employee performance and motivation; lower staff turnover; better staff-supervisor relations; improved staff recruitment and that NVQs give them the opportunity to benchmark standards and provide training which can be more specifically targeted to needs.

NVQs make sure your employees have the skills and knowledge to meet the organisations business needs.

Who are NVQs designed for?  NVQs are available to anyone at any age or stage of their career - and there are no entry qualifications. NVQs are flexible and accessible - within reasonable limits, you can decide the pace, place and way in which you learn.

Most people working towards an NVQ are in work but they are available to others through a number of initiatives.

METHODS OF TRAINING DELIVERY

cahro has recognised the ever changing needs of its customers.

Organisations and individuals are increasingly aware that continuous vocational and professional training is an integral part of their development, success and progression.

Our flexible approach to learning caters for all. Learn at work, learn at home, learn on-site or off-site. We can tailor programmes to suit individual needs and speed of learning. We will always try to offer the right learning method with face-to-face, online, classroom and blended courses to best meet the learner's needs.

The methods we use are:

Distance Learning: Programmes, in the form of books, supported by a designated tutor who visits the workplace via pre-booked appointments, assesses, observes and marks assignments. This method is ideal for Vocational and NVQ programmes. It allows the learner to progress at their own pace with the confidence that a tutor is available via tutorial onsite visits, telephone support, email, written feedback and assignment marking.

E-Learning: Teaching, via the web, supporting learners from their PC. It is similar to distance learning, but via the web, using email as the pre-dominant form of communication. This approach allows for people to progress at their own pace, choosing when to study, and is suitable for those who need to balance their personal and work lives with the desire to learn. Not yet for NVQs. 

Blended Learning: A combination of tutorial visits, classroom activity (on or off-site) and distance or e-learning approaches. This method is particularly good for higher-level courses where there is a need for study, sharing knowledge, experience and understanding with a need for interaction.

Direct Delivery: Tailored training programmes delivered in a traditional classroom or at the workplace approach either at our training facilities or at your premises. Ideal for group work or where substantial personnel require training on a particular subject e.g. Licensing, Health and Safety, Fire Training, Moving and Handling, First Aid or similar.

The cahro training team is able to evaluate, design and deliver programmes to meet the needs of individuals and organisations covering a wide breadth of subjects.

For enquiries contact:

tedwards@cahro.co.uk

or call  01376 339977