What are National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)?

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are based on national occupational standards. These standards refer to outcomes that can be assessed and that define the competencies, knowledge and understanding needed in a given occupation. National occupational standards cover almost every occupation, are presented as units and form the basis of all national vocational qualifications.

National occupational standards are set and designed by the relevant sector body. This is either a sector skills council, the government-licensed body representative of their sector’s skills needs or where they do not exist, by the body recognised by the sector as representing their skills needs.

NVQs are qualifications delivered in the workplace or other settings that replicate the working environment. These qualifications are outcome-based with no prescribed learning programme, allowing for flexible delivery and tailoring to meet the individual learner’s needs.

The relevant sector body determines the qualification content, structure and assessment strategy. Achievement is certifiable at unit level, with mutual recognition between awarding bodies.

Assessment is evidence-based although other methods of assessment are available, where appropriate, for different components of the NVQs. Quality assurance processes guarantee consistency, validity, reliability, sufficiency, currency and authenticity of evidence at a national level.