A number of organisations are involved in the process of developing, delivering, awarding and preserving the quality of NVQs.

• Sector bodies identify, define and update employment-based standards of competence for agreed occupations
• Awarding bodies design assessment and quality assurance systems, and gain sector bodies endorsement prior to submission to QCA for accreditation of the qualification
• QCA accredits proposals for qualifications submitted by awarding bodies
• QCA monitors awarding bodies offering NVQs
• Awarding bodies approve assessment centres to offer NVQs, implement and assure quality of the NVQs
• Assessment centres (meet awarding body criteria for) assessing NVQs

QCA will ensure that NVQ qualifications meet particular criteria and are broadly comparable across different sectors. QCA accredits (formally recognises) proposals for NVQ awards developed by sector bodies and awarding bodies, and quality assures and audits the activity of awarding bodies. For more about accreditation, see Accredition of qualifications.

Sector bodies

The new sector skills councils (SSCs), overseen by the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA), will identify, define and update employment-based standards of competence for agreed occupations. These are approved against criteria by a group made up of the regulatory authorities and the UK administrations.

National occupational standards form the basis for NVQs. NVQs are accredited against NVQ criteria by QCA.

Awarding bodies

Awarding bodies have a dual role. With sector bodies, they are jointly responsible for the assessment methods of NVQs based on the assessment strategy of the sector bodies, and they are also responsible for the implementation of individual NVQs. They approve centres who wish to offer assessment for NVQs.

Awarding bodies monitor the assessment process and award NVQs and unit certificates. They undertake external verification to ensure that candidates are being assessed fairly and consistently across all centres.

Training providers and further education colleges

Many candidates pursuing the NVQ route to qualifications will gain their qualification at work or through a programme provided by a further education college or some other training provider.

To find out who is offering NVQs in your region, contact your:

• local Learning Skills Council (who are responsible for all post-16 education and training);
• Business Link
• careers adviser
• further education College.

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)

In Scotland, where the system of vocational education and training differs from that of the rest of Britain, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) accredits all Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs).

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Hanover House
24 Douglas Street
Glasgow. G2 7NQ
Tel: 0141 248 7900
Web: www.sqa.org.uk/