MORE ABOUT NVQs and SVQs

National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications are based on National Occupational Standards.  Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) or Standards Setting Bodies (SSBs) are responsible for producing the National Occupational Standards for their sector.

Step One

SSCs/SSBs submit a request for the development of NOS to the National Occupational Standards Board.  The National Occupational Standards Board is responsible for determining policy on strategic issues relating to the NOS Programme.  It is also responsible for agreeing an Annual Standards Plan against which all SSCs/SSBs are invited to bid for funds for the development work involved in producing NOS.  The monies used to fund the Annual Standards Plan are based on a levy system which is collected from relevant awarding bodies for each full NVQ/SVQ certificated.

Step Two

Once the SSCs/SSBs Annual Standards Plan has been approved, the SSC/SSB will liaise with employers within its sector to discuss and develop appropriate and relevant NOS, qualification structure/s and an Assessment Strategy for presentation to the UK Co-ordinating Group (UKCG) for approval.  UKCG is made up of members from QCA (Qualification & Curriculum Authority), SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority), ACCAC (Qualification, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales), CCEA (Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment – covering Northern Ireland) and SSDA (Sector Skills Development Agency).

Step Three

Upon approval of the NOS, qualification structure/s and Assessment Strategy by UKCG, awarding bodies such as MPQC can then pick these up and prepare a submission for accreditation to deliver the NVQ/SVQ. 

Step Four

The awarding body submission is judged against the relevant QCA/SQA criterion that involves looking at the awarding body’s quality assurance arrangements, assessment methodology, assessment guidance materials, marketing information and market demand.   The submission is reviewed by the relevant Accreditation Committee which will make the final decision regarding approval, and length of accreditation period.  Upon gaining approval to award the qualification/s the awarding body can then promote the NVQ/SVQ and begin approving centres which wish to offer the NVQ/SVQ.

Step Five

Awarding Bodies are approved by QCA and/or SQA to award NVQs and/or SVQs as appropriate.  Awarding bodies, such as EMP, are responsible for approving centres and have responsibility for conducting External Verification of centres to ensure that centres are delivering NVQs/SVQs to the required standard.  Awarding Bodies are also responsible for providing Approved Centres with guidance on assessment and internal verification as well as liaising with SSCs/SSBs to ensure that the NVQs/SVQs remain current and valid.
 
WHO DOES WHAT?

National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (NVQs/SVQs) are qualifications which combine skills, knowledge and ability within a specific occupational area.

The Sector Skills Councils/Standard Setting Bodies are funded through a UK mechanism to set:

• National Occupational Standards (NOS)
• The Structure of NVQs/SVQs
• Assessment Strategies

Accrediting Bodies (QCA/SQA) approve:

• The NOS, qualification structure/s and assessment strategies developed by SSCs/SSBs
• Awarding Bodies against specified criteria and conducts quality assurance audits to ensure consistency and compliance
• The specific NVQ/SVQ arrangements in relation to assessment, quality assurance, verification, marketing and support.  

MPQC undertakes:

• The preparation of submissions to QCA/SQA for approval to deliver individual NVQ/SVQ award/s
• The approval of Centres
• The production of specific guidance material
• External Verification of Approved Centres
• Certification of candidates

MPQC works mainly with Proskills - the SSC for the extractive and mineral processing industry.