How do NVQs work?

NVQ is a common abbreviation for National Vocational Qualification. They are generally built up as units suitable against the learner’s job role, which make up the full NVQ title they would like to achieve. NVQs work by testing the learners abilities and competency in the workplace, so that they can show and prove to their assessor that they can do certain work-related tasks depending on the qualification they are looking to achieve relating to their role.

NVQ assessments are broken down into two distinct sections: knowledge and performance. Knowledge is normally assessed through the learner being asked to answer questions relating to the specifics of their job role. Performance is measured by the learner demonstrating their competence in the workplace through on-going observation.

They are assessed in various ways via a portfolio of evidence; building content with evidence of what you have achieved at work, and also by observation of your assessor. An observation will involve the Assessor watching you while you work to check the competency of the tasks you are completing.

The learner will need to produce evidence that they are competent to meet the NVQ standards, and once satisfied the assessor will sign off each unit that makes up the full NVQ qualification title. The assessor will also test the learner’s knowledge to ensure they fully demonstrate competence in the workplace.

Assessors will evaluate the learners performance against the standards as they learn, looking at what they have achieved and how they should go about completing all units until the NVQ is ready to be assessed as competent against a whole NVQ. This system is right for learners who already have skills and are competent and want to increase them, but also for those starting from the beginning to improve their career prospects.