A: It's a National Vocational Qualification for experienced workers. NVQ's were developed as 'work based' training courses. Each course is made up of units based on a specific trade or occupation. The units are drawn from National Occupational Standards. To complete there must be Valid, Authentic and Sufficient evidence of your competence and knowledge for all units.
NVQs are delivered by an assessor who will visit your workplace and works with you to record evidence in a portfolio that reflects the units. The courses are divided between knowledge and performance elements. Your NVQ is complete when all units have been met and signed off by your self, your assessor and our quality assurance person. See our
Learner Handbook page 7
Q2: I want to change my job. Can I do an NVQ in the new trade I want first?
A:No.NVQs
are ‘competence’ qualifications, you need to have experience and be doing
the job professionally.Training 'Diploma' courses are a good place to start if you are serious about changing trade or even our Introduction to Damage Repair course. They will equip you with basic knowledge and skills to gain work experience on site.
General funding has been cut back over the years and comes
and goes.
Your age (16-23), employment status, nationality, previous qualifications and choice of courseare all factors that can effect funding, if and
when, it is available;
We are generally
operating as a commercial centre delivering full cost courses.
If funding
becomes available we will post this on our blogand tweet @Dec_Assessso make sure you follow us!
Q4: How and when do I pay?
A: How-Primarily by BACS bank transfer.There are a range
of methods detailed in the store section of the site including PayPal.
A: You are paying Dec-Assess Ltd to deliver your chosen NVQ
(National Vocational Qualification) course to you in your workplace. This involves onsite induction, registration with the awarding body, site visits and completion of a portfolio by your assessor, quality assuranceand certification.
The process is explained in the Learner Handbook page 7.
Q7: Is there a discount if there's more than one of us and we're working on the same site?
A: We have already discounted L2 courses with multiples in mind.The same site means added value as we will be dedicated to your team/company and you will all progress together. For employers there are conditional discounts of 5% for 5-10 learners and 10% for 10+ learners or a payment plancontact us to discuss.
Q8: How long will my NVQ take?
A: This will be between you and your assessor. You will discuss
realistic targets at induction and you
will need to be working. Typically there are between 2 and 4 visits
following the induction. The process is explained in the Learner Handbook. We have to follow TQT (total qualification time) from registration which is usually a minimum of 2 to 3 months at level 2.
Trainees and apprentices will complete NVQs over a longer period than experienced workers. For apprentices the NVQ has been replaced by a new system.
Q9:I’m quiet at work, can I do the
assessments at home?
A: No.However, there’s nothing stopping
you from doing your knowledge questions in your own time at home. Assessment
observations can’t be carried out at your home. That comes under DIY. You need
to be working professionally.
Q10:Can I fail an NVQ?
A:We need to make sure that the course and
level is right for you at the beginning and that you’re committed to completing.Your assessor is looking for knowledge and competence. If you don’t meet the
criteria the assessor will support you
and give feedback , guidance and training. You must be
available to follow this up and meet the criteria to be deemed competent. In
the case of funded qualifications there
is a timely completion date that must be met. Although you will agree this
at the start of your course the centre may withdraw you if you haven’t competed
by then. See our terms and conditions.
Q11: Can I be an interpreter for
someone doing an NVQ who doesn't speak English?
A: No. OurAwarding Body states that the course must be
delivered in English (Irish Gaelic or Welsh). There must be a conversational level of English between the learner and the assessor. There is ESOL
support for those that want to improve their conversational level of English to
do the NVQ. If you or your colleagues are interested in this contact ESOL specialists English for Teafor excellent training, support and guidance.
Q12: How long will my NVQ last, will it run out?
A: No. Your NVQ is permanent qualification like your driving test. CSCS cards expire every 5 years.
You are a professional. It is important to continue your training and development after you complete
your current NVQ. Try getting email newsletters from trade specific websites or
suppliers. We all undertake regularly
CPD here at Dec-Assess.
Q13: When will my new CSCS card come?
A.We don’t
deal with yourCSCScard and
test, but we advise you on the process. We aim to get your NVQ certificates to you within 8 weeks of your last visit .Make sure you inform your assessor or the centre of any change of address.
Q14: Can I claim the cost back as a tax
expense?
A: Yes.If you are self- employed the cost of the NVQ
training is a claimable expense in your tax return. Also as an employer if
you employ PAYE staff. You will receive a receipt for all your payments. We advise
you to discuss this process with your accountant or HMRC Self Assessment.
Q15: How far do you travel? We work all
over the country?
A: We generally
operate within 1.5 hours of travel from Central London. Our listed prices are for ourprimary zone,see our Operational Area
Map. We are happy to discuss further travel in our secondary zoneor beyond and will cost a package on request.Contact us to discuss.
Q17: I'm an employer and want to sponsor my employees and subcontractors for the NVQ. What if they leave me before they complete?
A:We strongly advise employers to have an agreement in placebetween them (the sponsor) and the prospective learners (the employees and/or subcontractors) with an agreed process to deal with this eventuality BEFORE you sponsor any training.This is between you and them. On completion the certificates will be mailed c/o the sponsor (unless advised otherwise by the sponsor) but are the property of the learner.
Q18: Great, I understand what's involved now! I'm ready to go ahead. What next?
A:Complete the form and pay your deposit.You will receive a text or email from us -respond with the details to book your induction. We prefer to induct at your work site so you don't lose time and money being away from work.
We have also begun evening inductions by appointment at our office for groups of 5+. If you are an individual and you would like to be part of a group induction contact us. Inductions generally take 30 mins to 1 hour. You will need to supply photographic ID (e.g passport or driving licence), NI number and home address. All data is protected to ICO guidelines.
Q19: I've been inducted by my assessor and paid my balance, when will I be registered?? I can't get back on site until I get my new CSCS card!!
A: We have to complete your registration withtheLRS (Learner Records Service) and our AwardingOrganisations. This generally takes up to 5 working days from your payment showing depending on the 3rd party IT systems. We will have you registered as soon as possible and forward the registration to you by email with advice regarding CSCS.
