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FAQ's

What are National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ's)?

NVQ's are nationally defined occupational standards. They assess a person's ability to do a job to a certain standard and there are no educational requirements to doing an NVQ. One of the benefits of NVQ's is that unlike a lot of other qualifications they don't require the recollection of large amounts of information. The only requirement is that you must be actually doing the job you are being assessed in and be competent in it.

Are there different levels in the Advice and Guidance Qualification?

Yes, there are levels 2, 3 and 4.

Who are these NVQs for?

Level 2
This NVQ is aimed at individuals who work within a customer service function providing information and support on a regular basis to a range of clients. The qualification provides an introduction to Advice and Guidance and is aimed at those who wish to become practitioners. The core requirements for this qualification are around supporting clients to make use of their advice and guidance service, interacting with clients and developing personal through delivering customer service.

Level 3
This NVQ is aimed at practitioners who work directly with clients, providing information advice and guidance where required. The core requirements for the qualification include establishing communication with clients and supporting clients to make use of the advice and guidance service. There is also a requirement that practitioners review their contribution to the service.

Level 4
This Level 4 NVQ is aimed at individuals who are experienced practitioners in advice and guidance, mediation and careers education and guidance. Individuals may have some management experience as part of their role and may be responsible for the provision of information materials for the service and their design and maintenance. The core requirements for this NVQ are around developing interactions with clients, managing personal case load, operating within networks and evaluating and developing contribution to the service.

What are the benefits of doing an NVQ through Advice NI?

There are no entry requirements, no age restrictions and no time limits for attaining the qualifications. However, we encourage all candidates to achieve their awards within nine months.

You will have access to flexible learning that accommodates your individual needs
You will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and develop useful contacts with other people in your area of work
You will enhance the quality of your work contributing to your self-development and your organisations development
You will be assessed in your workplace with assessments reflecting your practical ability to do the job
You will receive a nationally recognised qualification which will provide you with transferable skills

How are the NVQ's different from other qualifications?

NVQ's are unlike traditional qualifications in that they are not classroom based, there is no final examination and you don't get a grade on completion. Instead the NVQ's focus on skills, knowledge and attitudes which are directly applied and assessed within the workplace. They are practice based and relate to your day to day abilities and achievements.

What does an NVQ look like?

Each NVQ is made up of different units of competence which in turn are broken down into separate elements.

An example of this is set out below:

Units of competence are the main blocks which make up an NVQ. The units relate to significant areas of work activity for a given occupation. Each unit is made up of a unit title and elements of competence. Units are the smallest components of NVQs which are available for certification.

The elements within each unit provide more specific information covering what is involved within the unit. They reveal what you, as a candidate, need to be able to do as you seek to achieve the unit.

What are performance criteria?

The performance criteria provide clear information on how you need to demonstrate your ability.

Performance criteria are statements to which you can refer to ensure you collect
appropriate evidence. Your assessor will refer to the performance criteria as he/she judges the evidence you put forward.

What is underpinning knowledge?

Each element will specify the knowledge and understanding you must demonstrate alongside competent performance. This is the underpinning knowledge.

You are required to demonstrate the underpinning knowledge of your occupational area to show that you understand why certain activities have to be carried out in a particular manner.

The underpinning knowledge (shown with each set of standards) states the specific aspects you need to be aware of. This information will be referred to by your assessor as he or she carries out the assessment with you. Frequently, your assessor will ask you questions which relate directly to the Underpinning knowledge.

What do I have to do to get an NVQ?

To undertake an NVQ you must be working in the field in which the NVQ relates for example if you want to do the NVQ in Advice and Guidance you must work in this sector e.g. Advice Worker or Careers Adviser. You must:

Forward your CV, latest job description, completed registration form, and a letter of support from your line manager to adviceni,
On receipt of an invoice make the required payment to adviceni
Undergo an induction with an assessor,
Attend 5 workshops throughout the year,
Begin gathering the evidence to complete the qualification,
Undergo assessment in the workplace.

To achieve an NVQ you must show that your work meets certain standards. By collecting a variety of evidence you can demonstrate that you are competent in a particular area of work. All of this evidence should arise from your normal work activity. If your organisation does not have a particular policy that is necessary as an evidence requirement, for example an Equal Opportunities Policy, adviceni can help you develop one.

What type of evidence do I need to collect? (Examples include:)

At least 10 detailed case-sheets (covering a range of issues and procedures including, equality issues, sources of information, advice/guidance provided, alternative sources of information, formats of information, (benefit/financial) calculations, referrals, consent, enabling client to decide on a course of action, and next steps for you or the client)
A Reflective Account(which will include an outline of your role within your organisation, how it has changed and what factors have influenced any changes)
Witness testimonies from line manager validating abilities
Observation of dealing with at least 3 clients (Client expressing need, interview, information, options, action, additional/alternative source of support)
At least 5 implementation plans and revised action plans
A written self development plan which:
will incorporate a personal profile, CV, job description, organisation chart, organisation development plan;
will conclude with a timed action plan for meeting self development needs
Contributing to a safe working environment including a personal risk assessment
Answers to written and oral questions
A written statement covering your understanding and application of the following and of where they can be located in your office:
- Equal Opportunity, complaints, confidentiality, and health and safety policies
- Data Protection
- Range of relevant sources of information and referral procedures
- Record -keeping policy
- Manual and computerised information and storage retrieval systems

How should I present the evidence I have collected?

There are no rules as to how you present the evidence. The main thing is that you can show that you have met all the necessary requirements laid out in the NVQ. To date most people have presented the bulk of their evidence in written form in a lever arch folder. However, you may wish to provide some of your evidence in a visual or audio format for example photographs, video footage, cassette tape etc. Regardless of which medium you use you must compile a portfolio of evidence, which meets the requirements laid out in the standards and shows your competency in the NVQ.

How will I be assessed?

adviceni will allocate an assessor who will assess you within your working environment using a number of different methods. He/she will observe your performance of particular tasks stated within the NVQ. He/she will also give you written and oral questions to check your understanding and knowledge. They will also examine any other documentary evidence you have collected.

How long will it take me to get the award?

It can take you as long or as a short a time as you want and will vary depending on the extent to which you need further work experience or training, the amount of time you can commit to gathering evidence and the level of support you receive from your assessor, employer and other supporters. . The idea is to have the support of your organisation in completing the award so that time can be built into your working week to allow you to progress with the award and assessments. The average time involved is usually 9 months.

What support will I have in completing the NVQ?

When you register for an NVQ you will receive a candidate pack from the Open University which will contain the standards for the NVQ which you are undertaking. adviceni will provide supporting documents which will assist you in compiling your portfolio. An assessor will be allocated to you who will provide you with regular support and guidance on a one to one basis. The assessor will also develop action plans with you, carry out assessments and provide constructive feedback. adviceni will facilitate workshops throughout the year. You will become part of a team of candidates and will have the opportunity to participate in regular candidate meetings.

What if I don't get the NVQ?

You will get it. If following an assessment it is decided that you have provided insufficient evidence to demonstrate competency in the NVQ then constructive feedback will be given and you will be given the opportunity to collect the additional evidence and an assessment will be carried out on another day.

Where do the NVQ qualifications fit in with other qualifications?

There are difficulties in providing exact equivalences between the different qualifications, as there are fundamental differences between the structures of the types of course. However, the following table may be taken as a guide to the broad equivalences in Northern Ireland.

Qualifications Equivalence Table


NVQ	RSA	GNVQ	GCSE	GCE A Level	BTEC
Level 1	n/a	Foundation	4 (Grade D-G)	n/a	n/a
Level 2	Stage 2	Intermediate	4/5 (Grade C-A)	n/a	First
Level 3	Stage 3	Advanced	n/a	2	National
Level 4	n/a	n/a	n/a	2 +	Higher