Minding our NVQs
Gone are the days when NVQs meant Not Very Qualified, in fact Great Britain has awarded 3 million NVQs since the qualifications were introduced in 1986. It is now more of a case of line up and form an envy queue ... (sorry!)
The Boys' Brigade has recently been awarded approved centre status by City and Guilds to deliver N/SVQs in Youth Work and Play Work. This makes us the first voluntary youth organisation to achieve this, and marks the beginning of a new way to develop our work as well as providing a career path for anyone wishing to make working with children or young people their paid occupation.
We have started a pilot scheme in the Midlands where we have 12 candidates working towards their NVQ in Youth Work and we are now responding to expressions of interest from around the UK.
What are the benefits in doing an N/SVQ?
There are many well-documented advantages for the learner in choosing an N/SVQ, for example:
- An N/SVQ recognises competence for something you can already do.
- You do not necessarily have to do lots of formal training, although the assessment process highlights the areas where an individual needs to develop.
- Each candidate works with an assessor, although the role is much wider than just assessing. The assessor will act as a coach and mentor to the learner, and where this works well, the results can be significantly more immediate and relevant to the learner's practice.
- The N/SVQ process is 'candidate centred' in that the learner can work at their own pace and convenience, and can choose to complete the award quickly or over a longer period.
- People who prefer to learn in a practical way, and who cannot commit to long periods of study or regular classes, often find that N/SVQs can fit around their other responsibilities.
- NVQs are also credible in the workplace as they bring together theory and practice. They recognise current skills and identify where there are gaps in skills, knowledge or attitude.
How will N/SVQs benefit the BB?
Apart from demonstrating our investment in our volunteers, the N/SVQ scheme will help us with:
- Developing better skilled and motivated leaders, therfore a better quality of experience for young people.
- Showing our commitment to good practice that can be reflected in recruitment drives and funding bids.
- Giving something of real value to our leaders who have developed skills and knowledge by volunteering and would like to have this recognised and accredited.
It also helps us with the development of a 'learning culture' that we talk about in our Development Plan.
Who can do an N/SVQ?
You have to be over 16 to do an NVQ but there is no upper age limit. You need to be currently working in a setting with children or with young people. If you work with Company section or Seniors you would register for a Youth Work award, if you work with Anchors or Juniors you would register for a Play Work award. We are approved to deliver N/SVQs at Levels 2 and 3.
How do you get started?
If you think any of your leaders or young people would be interested in doing an N/SVQ or in training to be an assessor, then fill in our contact form and we will come and visit you in your Company, Battalion or District to give you a full picture of what is involved.
We look forward to hearing from you
