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What are national vocational qualifications (NVQ's) and why do I Need one?

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ's) are work-based awards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that are achieved through assessment and training. 
NVQ's are evidence based qualifications and are achieved by building a portfolio of work based evidence to demonstrate competence in the occupational area. Work based evidence can include work documents, witness testimony, video evidence, photographs, knowledge, questions, recognition of prior learning etc. 
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NVQ's are nationally recognised qualifications which can be achieved without impacting your work schedule.
They can be used to upgrade red CPCS or NPORS trained operator cards into Blue Competent operator cards. 
Here are some of our more popular national vocational qualifications
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The  Blue Competent Operators CPCS Card

or Blue competent operators NPORS card can be achieved By completing an NVQ Level 2 in your chosen category such as plant operations or lifting operations.  

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The Blue Skilled worker CSCS Card can be achieved By completing an NVQ Level 2 in your chosen trade e.g. carpentry, Ground works, steel fixing etc. 

This card is for skilled trades only. 

 

Gold CSCS card

The Gold CSCS card can be achieved by completing an NVQ level 3 in occupational work supervision. More employers are recognising the need for their site supervisors to be trained to a higher standard.

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The Blue CPCS Lift Supervisor Card is one of the most sought after qualifications in the lifting industry and can be achieved by completing an NVQ level 4 in controlling lifting .

Lifting is a major hazard on construction sites and employers are recognising the need to have a highly skilled lifting team

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The Blue CPCS Appointed Person Card is one of the most sought after qualifications in the lifting industry and can be achieved by completing an NVQ level 5 in Planning lifting .

Lifting is a major hazard on construction sites and employers are recognising the need to have a highly skilled lifting team

NVQ level 6 Black CSCS card

The Black CSCS Card is one of the most sought after qualifications in the industry and can be achieved by completing an NVQ level 5,6 or 7 in construction site management.

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By achieving the NVQ level 6 you can apply to become a Chartered Member of the Institute Of Building (MCIOB)

Construction Managers

The NVQ level 6 Diploma in Health & Safety Practice is for health & safety advisors operating at health and safety manager level. This qualification is an alternative to the NEBOSH Diploma. Upon successful completion this can be utilised in a learners CPD to obtain Gradiosh status and go on to achieve Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH) 

NVQ level 6 Black CSCS card

The NVQ level 7 Diploma in senior site management is for high level site managers and project managers. learners who achieve this qualification can go on to apply to the institute of builders for chartered status (CMIOSH)

More employers are recognising the need for their site managers to be trained to a higher standard.

NVQ level 6 Black CSCS card

If you're thinking of becoming an NVQ assessor JTW can help.

The NVQ L3 in assessing vocational achievement is the qualification that will be your first step on this path. 

Get in touch with us to discuss your requirements. 

How can I get a national vocational qualification?

The first step to gain in your NVQ is to get in contact and talk to us about your current situation and your work experience. We can help you make sure that you choose the correct NVQ For you and making sure you have the correct work based evidence available. 
This video will help explain the process. 

How long will my NVQ take?

The duration is different for everyone and will be dependent on many factors such as:
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  • The type of NVQ that you choose, NVQ's are made of units, the more units that the NVQ has the longer it will take to complete
  • The type and amount of work based evidence that you have available to you, The more work-based evidence that you have readily available the quicker and easier the NVQ will be completed
  • The amount of time and effort you are willing to allocate to complete in your NVQ
  • Your availability for workplace observations. 
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Your assessor will work with you to develop a time line that suits your work schedule.
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How much does an NVQ cost?
The cost of NVQ's are different for each category and will be dependent on many factors such as:
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  • The type of NVQ that you choose, NVQ's are made of units, the more units that the NVQ has the longer it will take to complete and therefor will be a higher cost
  • Do you have any existing NVQ's of which the units are transferrable, this is known as recognition of prior learning. by not having to repeat units it's less work and costs may be lowered. 
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Please get in contact to discuss pricing that fits around your financial requirements. 
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