RobSheffield Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 When i was back at school they had just been launched, and the first few people who got them in our school reported that employers and universities just laughed, so since then i have largely ignored them. I am considering taking on a new role selling NVQ training to small businesses. Im doing a little research to see if its going to be a wise move. Are they a qualification that carries any weight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazboy Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 We call them No Value Qualifications. They are gaining weight though. The amount of work for their value is shocking though, I've been doing one for years that makes my sisters A level English course look like a beginners guide, yet is worth half a GSCE. Waste of time but I have to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Restorer Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 I don't regret doing and NVQ apprenticeship instead of going to university, however the NVQ was just a way to get my foot in the door. Is it of any value to me now, not really no. Most job offers that need qualifications still ask for a degree and this is more so abroad. I suppose if I wanted a management job then a degree would be more useful, but atm I don't and if I did it would be for my own company rather than someone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 We get quite a few companies calling us in Telford to do this. As an employer in IT I can't say it's been a worthwhile qualification to give my staff in the past. It was OK for one girl who came out of school knowing feck all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 You've just reminded me that I have an NVQ, a level 2 in retail - smell my shop skills! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flukey-lukey Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 I don't regret doing and NVQ apprenticeship instead of going to university, however the NVQ was just a way to get my foot in the door. Is it of any value to me now, not really no. Most job offers that need qualifications still ask for a degree and this is more so abroad. I suppose if I wanted a management job then a degree would be more useful, but atm I don't and if I did it would be for my own company rather than someone else. Agreed. For me it was just something to put on my CV to back up the fact that I had the basic skills for the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 We call them No Value Qualifications. They are gaining weight though. The amount of work for their value is shocking though, I've been doing one for years that makes my sisters A level English course look like a beginners guide, yet is worth half a GSCE. Waste of time but I have to do it. True. The amount of work involved in getting half a qualification is ludicrous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 NVQ's are getting more recognised, thats why the forces are investing millions to get us through as many civilian recognised NVQ's to help us with our career and if we decide to get out have something to fall back on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 I get confused with all these acronyms, how does an NVQ compare to a GNVQ or are they the same thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 a GNVQ is just a general NVQ, its equivelent to half an NVQ apparently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 I get confused with all these acronyms, how does an NVQ compare to a GNVQ or are they the same thing GNVQ = higher mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 GNVQ = higher mate. its lower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 When i did them at college, my GNVQ advanced IT (2 year course) was enough to go to university with, at the time it was equivalent to A levels. Things must have changed a bit since then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazboy Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 I hope the GNVQ is higher otherwise it's worth f*ck all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoboblio Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 When i did them at college, my GNVQ advanced IT (2 year course) was enough to go to university with, at the time it was equivalent to A levels. Things must have changed a bit since then That's exactly the same qualification I got at college, apparantly it was worth over 2 'A' levels and a few of the class got into university with only that, with no problems at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 its lower Don't think it's either actually. G = General rather than the job specific NVQ. GNVQ superceded GCSE and represents a suite of qualifications rather than just one, eg NVQ in English. GNVQ in mechanical engineering. Bit confusing really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Don't think it's either actually. G = General rather than the job specific NVQ. GNVQ superceded GCSE and represents a suite of qualifications rather than just one, eg NVQ in English. GNVQ in mechanical engineering. Bit confusing really. when i was at school i was told it was lower as i did a GNVQ in engineering then while in the army iv got NVQ's in communication skills, maths,computer studies,engineering again and a few others i didnt really pay attention to dont think i need any of them tbh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 I've got NVQ's to burn..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kieran Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 I got a Level 3 NVQ in Railway Signal Installation (I think) as part of my apprenticeship, and I haven't got a clue what the point of doing it was since I had far higher railway qualifications at the time. It took me about a month to get it and just involved filling in some sheets on health and safety and some bloke watching me terminate a cable. Might look impressive on a CV to some people I suppose, seemed like a waste of time to me though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 They are not pointless as SVQ's. NVQ's are carrying a lot of weight with employers. It is not a waste of time as it something to put on your CV and they are very easy to complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 I just finished doing NVQ lvl 2 in bus industry Such a pro driver haha. On a serious note - do it, it's always something to put on CV. Some companies actually are OBLIGATED to have percentage of employees with done at least 1 lvl of NVQ, otherwise they can loose licence to do their services. In bus industry it is 60% if I remember correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcol Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I teach nvq's in security (static & patrolling, door supervisor, close protection, cctv, event stewarding etc), you will find them a pain in the arse because they are all paperwork based, if you are going alone you need to be a registered center (edexcell etc) the money is to be made on the nvq assessing where it is all government funded through the train to gain scheme, but make sure if you are teaching them you are a qualified trainer (i can give you the details if required) and if you are assessing you need an A1 assessors cert, but if you are setting up on your own you will need an independant assessor, an internal veryfier, an invigilator for exams etc the list is endless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 when i was at school i was told it was lower as i did a GNVQ in engineering then while in the army iv got NVQ's in communication skills, maths,computer studies,engineering again and a few others i didnt really pay attention to dont think i need any of them tbh That's right mate. Your GNVQ covers a whole range of subjects under "engineering". NVQ's as you did, comms, maths, comp. studies are subject specific. Personally I'd count the GVNQ engineering as the qualification I'd be most interested in as a prospective employer and read down through specific quality NVQ's as proof of continued interest in advancing and responsibility. But I'm old school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesC Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 That's exactly the same qualification I got at college, apparantly it was worth over 2 'A' levels and a few of the class got into university with only that, with no problems at all. Same here! It got me onto a HND course which then i topped up to a degree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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