NVQ stands for National Vocational Qualification. It is a ‘competence-based’ qualification in which you learn practical, work-related tasks , with each one reflecting the skills and knowledge needed to do a particular job effectively. You might want to take an NVQ to increase your skills with your current job or to gain new skills to move into a different area.

The qualifications are based on national standards at Levels 1 to 5 on the National Qualifications Framework and Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF)

The skills and knowledge you already have count towards your qualification. Vocational Qualifications (NVQ/QCF) range from Foundation Level 1 programmes to the more advanced Level 4. They are divided into different units that reflect various aspects of a particular job and are completed through both assessment and training. The assessments are usually undertaken through observation of your progress in the workplace and questions designed to check your understanding of work related issues.

Candidates must also produce a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates their competence in meeting NVQ/QCF standards. There is no single timeframe within which the qualifications have to be completed, but the completion depends on individual circumstances. You will receive advice, support and guidance from experienced and competent assessors to achieve your chosen qualification.

When you have completed the appropriate units to a specified level of competence you will be awarded with the NVQ/QCF certification.

The QCF is the latest system recognising skills and qualifications by awarding credit for qualifications and units. Each unit has a credit value, which, specifies the number of credits gained by learners who complete that unit. The flexibility of the system allows learners to gain qualifications at their own pace along routes that suit them best.

The QCF framework has been designed to eventually replace the older NQF qualification framework that was in place previously.

The title of a qualification should indicate its difficulty, how long it will take the average learner to complete, and its general content, using the following information:

• Qualification level (from lowest, entry level to level 8 at the top)
• Qualification size (award/certificate/diploma)
• Content of the qualification

To understand the level of difficulty of the units and qualifications in the new framework it might be helpful to know that GCSEs (grade A*–C) are level 2, GCE A levels are level 3 and a PhD is a level 8. Knowing this can help to position the difficulty and challenge of each level in the framework.

Every unit and qualification has a credit value and a level. One credit represents ten notional hours of learning, showing how much time the average learner would take to complete the unit or qualification. Levels indicate difficulty and vary from entry (1) to level 8. There are three types of qualification:

• Awards (1 to 12 credits)
• Certificates (13 to 36 credits)
• Diplomas (37 credits or more)

Our NVQs or QCF vocational qualifications can be taken by:

• Full-time employed people
• Those studying at a college with a part-time job or access to work placement opportunities
• Eligible candidates for the Apprenticeships Programme (Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications)

5E Ltd is accredited by the awarding bodies City and Guilds, OCR and NCFE to deliver qualifications in the following areas:

Literacy and Numeracy - Level 1 and 2

Information, Advice and Guidance

Retail Qualifications

Health and Social Care

Business and Administration