What is an NVQ?

National Vocational Qualifications or NVQs are work based competency qualifications. NVQs demonstrate that a person has the ability to undertake the roles of their job in an effective manner.

The Standards for NVQs are national and set out what individuals should be able to carry out in their particular occupation. They outline the main aspects of an occupation and what is needed to be competent within that field. NVQs do not have to be completed within a set time. There are no entry requirements for taking an NVQ course and no age limitations.

Individuals achieve their NVQ by being assessed by an NVQ Assessor. The assessor will usually assess the candidate by undertaking on the job observation and by asking relevant questions. All candidates are required to produce evidence in order to prove they are competent in their field and can match the national standards that have been set.

Your work based training NVQ portfolio stays with you through the qualification, so you are able add to it, check how far you have come or see how much you have left to do.  If extra learning is helpful (e.g. an IT course) then this can be easily added to your study programme and will count as “underpinning knowledge”.