NVQ stands for National Vocational Qualification. It is professional qualification based on nationally agreed standards for your job.
What are the NVQ levels?
They accredit skills you already have in your job. If they are accompanied by a course of study they can also extend and deepen your knowledge and skills in your profession.
There are two levels, level 2 and level 3. Level 2 is for people with limited duties as an assistant, NVQ 3 is suitable for those with a wider range of duties. NVQ 3 is accepted as an entrance requirement for a foundation degree, a degree course taking around 3 years part time, work-based but without honours. NVQ 2 or 3 are good qualifications to have if you are working in a supporting role in school or if you are applying for a support staff job.
No: you will not be able to complete the evidence, which all relies on you having a job as an assistant.
Yes. Contact the Council’s Lifelong Learning Service on 0161 770 3131 or Oldham College on 0800 269 480 for details
Your school can undertake to pay your fee if they have sufficient funds. They can use a grant called Standards Fund. If they cannot pay you could pay the fee yourself.
Your school will need to be committed to supporting you and undertake to provide you with a mentor who will contribute to your assessment by signing witness statements about your skills and observing you in your work. One hour per unit for the NVQ 3 is a minimum (There are 10 units to complete for NVQ 3).
You should have a level of English that is adequate for completing written assignments and the ability to study and manage a job at the same time.
No: at present we offer only level 3.
Four: CACHE, City & Guilds, EdExcel and OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA). The Workforce Development and Governance Service is a centre with OCR for Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.
The taught parts of the course with the Workforce Development and Governance Service are delivered by experts from the Children, Young People and Families Directorate.
Applications forms are available from the Workforce Development and Governance Service on 0161 770 4274 or WDGS@oldham.gov.uk There is a selection process so you are not guaranteed a place until you receive a confirmation.