What are NVQs?
National Vocational Qualifications, or NVQs, are competency-based awards that prove you are qualified to do a particular job. These qualifications are relevant in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, they are known as Scottish Vocational Qualifications or SVQs.
NVQs are achieved through on-the-job assessment and training in either the workplace ,or a setting designed to replicate the workplace. NVQs range in levels from 1 through to 5, depending on the field, so you’re able to begin at the level best suited to you and work your way up. They are designed for continual assessment throughout your training. Assessment is based on evidence of your competency, though other methods may apply where appropriate.
NVQs are based on National Occupational Standards (NOS), which are standards of competencies, knowledge and understanding expected in a given occupation. These standards also identify expected outcomes of assessment. NOS are developed by the relevant sector skills council (SSC) or Government-recognised sector body for that given field.
What is the difference between NVQ and NCFE?
NVQs are very different from NCFE. While NVQs are a vocational (work-based) qualification, NCFE, in itself, is not a qualification, but rather an awarding body. As we discussed in our blog about NCFE, if a home learning course has the NCFE stamp of approval, this means it is accredited, or checked off, by NCFE as a quality distance learning course. The awarding organisation also provides certification to students who successfully complete NCFE accredited courses.
We are a NCFE registered learning centre, and this stamp of approval is our guarantee of quality. Our students who complete an NCFE accredited course, receive an NCFE award certificate of achievement.
Our NVQ courses
We offer a variety of NVQ courses, designed to give you a theoretical knowledge base via distance learning. Assessment is through practical, hands-on training. With the flexibility to study from home, at your own pace, our NVQ courses are the perfect way for you to earn your NVQ while continuing to work. Unlimited tutor support and an active online student community, means that you’ll never feel isolated. Help is just a phone call or email away.
We offer the following NVQ courses:
Beauty Therapy NVQ Level 2 (Full Time) – Elite
Great courses here!
This is really good too see 🙂
So how do they differ in terms of employability? When a school asks for a teaching assistant at level 2, does that mean nvq or ncfe?
Thanks for the clarification.
Well I never knew you offered NVQ’s! I’ve got one in Business and Administration which I did with the local council, but the massage one certainly looks good. What I’d really LOVE is for the veterinary course to have a practical element 🙂
thanks for the info!
Really cool to be part of this college!!!
Brilliant selection of courses, its so nice to see this! new courses upcoming all the time in different elements of nvq to nfce to a levels. Thats great.
Really happy with this college
Pls do you have NVQ in health and social care
I want to do a nVQ in beauty therapy!
I’m not sure I knew the difference before, so good to know.
Really i put in to do my NVQ level 2 in health and social care and got put on a NCFE Level 2 i need my NVQS not NCFES please help
I would like to do an assessors course level3 certificate in assessing occupational achievements. I will qualification enable me to get a job once l have completed the course. I this certifacte national regionized
Hi Elizabeth, the certificate is nationally recognised and would help you to get a job (assuming it is relevant to the role). Stonebridge
I did am ncfe level 2 in adult social care and my previous 2 employers accepted on equal status to a nvq and as I recall my assessor was a lady who had worked in social care as a senior (which is nvq level 3) my new employer isn’t recognising the ncfe as a qualification for the higher pay rate which my others employers did! Which begs the question why bother studying for an ncfe qualification if not all employers will recognise it, and I worked b****y hard to gain that qualification!!
Hi Paul,
I’m so sorry to hear about the difficulty you’ve faced with your qualification. Please can you email a scanned copy of the certification to customerservices@learndirect.com so that we can have a look at this for you?
Many thanks,
Stonebridge Associated Colleges