Is an nvq a pointless qualification?

viktory

I got an NVQ @ level 3 in Business Administration years ago and it has stood me in really good stead. Since getting the qualification I have worked pretty much continuously and now earn a high salary working for my LA (so I also have the benefits of flexi time and a final salary pension). I have also taken advantage of every course on offer at work and that has helped my progression no end.

Personally, as with all training courses I think what you get out is in direct relation to what you put in.

System

unluckyone wrote: »

What tade are you in and what is the title of the NVQ?

Prehaps the issue is more your now employer.
Surely they should be recognising you as a tradesman with over ten years experience.

Workshop joinery / carpentary, I think by the sounds of it, it depends very much on the NVQ,

elsien

In social care an NVQ or a willingness to undertake it is becoming a must. 50% of staff should have NVQ level 2 or above (although that may be changing.)
Our company expect all staff to do NVQ and the payscale reflects this - those with NVQ get paid a fair bit more than unqualified staff. And it was a condition of my becoming manager that I had to do the NVQ4 and Registered Managers Award.
Plus when staff do something daft, if they've got NVQ they've got no excuse for saying they didn't know.
So I would have to say that unless you work for a mickey mouse company, then no it's not a waste of time.

System

elsien wrote: »

In social care an NVQ or a willingness to undertake it is becoming a must. 50% of staff should have NVQ level 2 or above (although that may be changing.)
Our company expect all staff to do NVQ and the payscale reflects this - those with NVQ get paid a fair bit more than unqualified staff. And it was a condition of my becoming manager that I had to do the NVQ4 and Registered Managers Award.
Plus when staff do something daft, if they've got NVQ they've got no excuse for saying they didn't know.
So I would have to say that unless you work for a mickey mouse company, then no it's not a waste of time.

Doubt your right as I'm the lowest paid But then I've been with 5 companies, all same issue, My first job, where I gained the NVQ was the only one where I got anywhere, I suppose that was the whole reason for asking this question

alyssa_liss

i need a NVQ for my job (hairdresser)
i know if i were to have my salon i wouldnt even consider anyone without at least a level 2 NVQ

System

In writing this I see the problem, I need to find a firm that also does this on the job training I received.

eamon

I also don't have much faith in many NVQ's that I have seen. Especially those that are specific to a particular employer. I suspect that yours is the non portable variety. In that case you could be correct.
Doing something is better than nothing and I suppose that NVQ's are good for this purpose but they need to be backed up by appropriate college work and the relevant trade body(s) for that industry otherwise they are meaningless.

nimbo

i work for the NHS and they are really big on sending peopel on NVQ's as well as accepting tham as the lavel of qualification that is needed so i think that they are great as long as they are in a relevant subject...

paulwf

The question to ask is what is the alternative? In many companies they are too busy day to day to allow you to take a step back and let you learn anything. When I arrive at work a minute later I'm rushing around and it remains that way until the minute I leave. Also small companies generally don't have a structured training plan, and even if they do they don't have people that have been trained to be trainers. If you weren't in a formal training programme like an NVQ would you have had the chance to learn as much?

Try and get what you can from the course, don't do it just to get a piece of paper.

hellokitty08

I can sort of see your point, but think it might just be bad luck on your part. Lots of people find them really valuable, and as someone once said to me, just because your not using it now, doesnt mean it wont come in handy in the future and now that you have it no one can take it away from you. Plus I cant think of a single case where an NVQ level 3 is the highest qualification you can get.