NVQs

5. Becoming an NVQ Centre

Many larger companies choose to become approved NVQ centres. As well as saving the costs of external providers, using your own managers and supervisors as assessors encourages them to take a greater role in managing the performance of their subordinates.

5.1 Select technically competent individuals to cover the necessary roles in the NVQ process.

You will need:

• Approximately one NVQ assessor for every six NVQ candidates.
• Approximately one internal verifier for every ten assessors.
• A centre co-ordinator to manage the registration of NVQ candidates and to request certificates.This role is frequently undertaken by the internal verifier.

5.2 Prepare a submission to the awarding body for your company to be approved as an NVQ centre.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the required resources, structure and quality systems.

• The awarding body will provide a guidance pack on becoming an approved NVQ centre.
• The awarding body may charge an approval fee, as well as charging for any pre-approval advice given.Check with your local office.

5.3 Train your assessors and verifiers.

They must have a clear plan for achieving the appropriate 'assessment' and 'verification' units.

• Typically, it takes individuals three to six months to achieve the required units.
• The standards for these assessment and verification NVQs are available in the same way as for any other NVQ.
• Like other NVQs, training and development NVQs are assessed on work performance.Your assessors and verifiers must already be carrying out these roles themselves in order to be able to assess you.
• Most companies choose to use an external provider to train the company's own assessors and verifiers.