National Vocational Qualifications

What are they?

National vocational qualifications (NVQs) are work-related, competence-based qualifications. They are based on national occupational standards (NOS) and recognise the individual’s competence to do the job to these standards in the workplace.

What is a National Occupational Standard?

National occupational standards are statements of performance that describe what competent people in a particular occupation are expected to be able to do. They cover all the main aspects of an occupation, including current best practice, the ability to adapt to future requirements, and the knowledge and understanding that underpin competent performance.

How is this qualification assessed?

To achieve an NVQ, candidates produce evidence to prove they have the competence to meet the NVQ standards. Assessment is normally through on-the-job observation and questioning to make sure they can demonstrate competence in the workplace and producation of a portfolio of evidence.

Is any training involved?

Training and development for NVQs should be tailored to the learner’s needs. For some, this might mean attending a training course if that seems the best way to learn what they need. For others, it might be possible to do slightly different work to gain the evidence of competence.