The central feature of NVQs is the National Occupational Standards (NOS) on which they are based. NOS are statements of performance standards. They cover all the main aspects of an occupation, including current best practice and the ability to adapt to future requirements.

How are NVQs achieved ?

NVQ's are achieved through practical assessments and theoretical comprehension.

Candidates will need to gather a variety of evidence to identify their ability to meet practical performance criteria together with written evidence to demonstrate their underpinning knowledge. Candidates need to prove competence in all required areas.

When a new candidate starts, their assessor will help to:

• identify what they can do already.
• agree on the standard and level they are aiming for..
• analyse what they need to learn.
• choose and agree on activities which would allow the candidate to meet their target

At this point the candidate may need to take a course if that seems the best way to meet their individual targets or carry out a programme of distance learning that can be taken in bite sized chunks.

The system works well for workers who already have skills and want to gain a qualification or just add specialist techniques to their CV, as well as for those people who are starting from the beginning.

As the system is so flexible, new ways of learning can be used immediately, without the lengthy process of taking courses.