National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications (N/SVQs) are work related qualifications based on standards of competence set by industry.  They assess the skills and knowledge of employees, ensuring that they are able carry out their job competently and effectively and are able to understand why they are doing it.

All N/SVQs have the same basic structure and state exactly what the candidate must be able to do and know in order to achieve competency in a job or occupational standard.  The content of each standard is decided by a working party of experienced personnel, from companies within the specific sector.  Each qualification is given a level to place it within the N/SVQ framework, which shows how the qualifications relate to each other and the clear, flexible routes of progression.

The qualifications are made up of Units, which cover the many different aspects or functions of various job roles.  These Units are divided into sub elements which describe precisely how employees should perform in line with the occupational standards and what supporting knowledge they should have.

Specific N/SVQs are identified to match an employee’s roles and responsibilities within the company (i.e.  Extrusion, Injection Moulding, Assembly/Finishing Operations, Mould Setting).  Extra Units can be added to an N/SVQ in order to aid multi-skilling.

An approved Assessor, who will normally be company based, assesses the employees to ensure they have reached the desired level of competency in accordance with the N/SVQ requirement or standards.  Where they are not yet fully competent, training needs can easily be identified and appropriate training and development can then be carried out.

An approved Internal Verifier will carry out verifications or quality checks throughout the assessment process to ensure assessments are being conducted correctly and the scheme is reliable and consistent.

The training, assessment and verification can all be undertaken by company employees, on site, at a time to suit the company.

The N/SVQ framework currently incorporates five levels of competency.  Candidates may start at the level which is appropriate for their work.

The definitions for each level are as follows:

Level 1  Learning at this level is about activities which mostly relate to everyday situations and may be linked to job competence.

Level 2  Learning at this level involves building knowledge and/or skills in relation to an area of work or a subject area and is appropriate for many job roles.

Level 3  Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills and is appropriate for people who may be supervising and/or training others in their field of work.

Levels 4  Learning at this level involves detailed analysis of a high level of information and knowledge in an area of work or study and is appropriate for people working in technical and professional jobs, and/or managing and developing others.

Our N/SVQs cover all job roles relating to Plastics Processing, General Rubber Processing, Recycling of Plastics and all related activities (e.g. Materials Preparation, Material/Product Handling, Sampling & Testing Materials/Products etc) at Levels 1, 2 and 3.

A highly skilled workforce is vital to meet competition and ensure that industry benefits from that new technology.  N/SVQs are an excellent way of developing a competent workforce to meet these demands.

FOR COMPANIES:     Higher output, reduced waste and rework, consistent high quality, motivated workforce that take responsibility for their work, reduced absenteeism and staff turnover, a means of improving the culture within an organisation.

FOR CANDIDATES:   National Industry and company recognised qualifications, job satisfaction, prior learning and experience taken into account, confidence to learn and improve, credit given for competences at work.

The vast majority of companies set up and run an N/SVQ scheme with their own staff.  Alternatively they can use suitably qualified external staff.

To set up the scheme, the company will need to select employees to be trained as Assessors (A1) and Verifiers (V1).  Once trained, these Assessor and Verifiers will then develop N/SVQ quality assured company procedures.

When the company becomes an approved centre, they can register employees, the approved Assessor(s) assess their competence and, wherever necessary, train and develop their skills.  This will be controlled by a company Verifier or Verifiers who will ensure assessments are being conducted correctly and the scheme is reliable and consistent.  They will also apply for a National Certificate for all successful candidates.

Any size!  Most companies run their own scheme.

As an alternative or if you only employ a small number of employees who will benefit from the scheme, SASL will identify a training provider to help you run it.

Depending on the job role and level of responsibility there are assessment routes to meet both the employees and company needs.

At levels 1 and 2, Performance Assessment Records (PARs) are available, all of which have been tailored to each process area (e.g. Blow Moulding, Injection Moulding, Extrusion etc).  These candidate workbooks consist of a number of practical activities and knowledge based questions, which the candidate is measured against to ensure they achieved desired level of competency.

To gain the full benefit from an N/SVQ scheme the company must be fully committed to providing resources to develop their staff.  SASL can help identify the resources required.

Depending on the size of the company and the resources available, on average, it will take approximately 10 to 15 weeks to set up the scheme.

N/SVQ candidates will then progress at different rates depending on their existing skills and experiences, the resources available, the time allocated for assessment and where necessary, training.

On average a Level 1 candidate should aim to complete their N/SVQ in 10 to 20 weeks, a Level 2 candidate should aim for 15 to 25 weeks, a Level 3 candidate may take 6 to 12 months.

Skills Assurance Services Ltd
Unit 4
Hollinswood Court
Stafford Park 1
Telford
Shropshire
TF3 3DE

Tel:   0845 226 9314
Fax:  0845 226 9319

Email: info@sasl.org.uk