The Work Programme New Thread

Honeypie

AP007 wrote: »

Assessing? Do you work for the WP? LOL

I was told we could all train to be an NVQ assessor but if it was that easy we could all do it and still you have to APPLY for a job once trained and since I have no experience in being an NVQ assessor that may be hard - like its a easy way out but it's not at all.

I do not even understand what the job is to be fair but still you have to get one first no matter what you are trained in.

I've worked in welfare to work and in the training sector, yes!
The reason I mentioned assessing is because I too had been finding it difficult to get back into work after being made redundant and signed up to the assessing course. It's a great qualification to have and what have you got to lose by gaining it and having another string to your bow?

Assessors come from all walks of life, from all kinds of sectors and they all have to start somewhere.

AP007

Honeypie wrote: »

I've worked in welfare to work and in the training sector, yes!
The reason I mentioned assessing is because I too had been finding it difficult to get back into work after being made redundant and signed up to the assessing course. It's a great qualification to have and what have you got to lose by gaining it and having another string to your bow?

Assessors come from all walks of life, from all kinds of sectors and they all have to start somewhere.

Well I can not do anything other than sit at home job searching as I have to available to contact between 9-5pm each day or can be mandated by the WP if I am not contactable.

Honeypie

AP007 wrote: »

Well I can not do anything other than sit at home job searching as I have to available to contact between 9-5pm each day or can be mandated by the WP if I am not contactable.

The course is done in your own time. You have to attend 4 days over 2 weeks. Of course, if you were offered a job or interview in that time, you would have to make yourself available for that as a priority. But you would be contactable in that time, so that wouldn't be a problem.

If you did want to do it, it would just be a matter of advising your advisor at the WP to give them the details and JCP.

It's funded specifically for unemployed people, so there is no benefit to JCP or WP providers to hinder your attendance at this.

I start next month.

AP007

Honeypie wrote: »

The course is done in your own time. You have to attend 4 days over 2 weeks. Of course, if you were offered a job or interview in that time, you would have to make yourself available for that as a priority. But you would be contactable in that time, so that wouldn't be a problem.

If you did want to do it, it would just be a matter of advising your advisor at the WP to give them the details and JCP.

It's funded specifically for unemployed people, so there is no benefit to JCP or WP providers to hinder your attendance at this.

I start next month.

How can you be a fully qualified NVQ assessor in such a short time?

I was at a group session last week at the JC where some bloke said he did a course and had a card saying he is qualified to drive a forklift but he can not drive a forklift. Seems that everyone on the course passed

Honeypie

AP007 wrote: »

How can you be a fully qualified NVQ assessor in such a short time?

I was at a group session last week at the JC where some bloke said he did a course and had a card saying he is qualified to drive a forklift but he can not drive a forklift. Seems that everyone on the course passed

The course can take anything from 6 weeks to 6 months - or longer if you required it. There are no exams or tests. You are required to build a portfolio of evidence including examples of your candidates work, assessment plans, your feedback to candidates, questions about assessing and discussions with your assessor (from the course). The company provide the candidates for you. So you actually have some experience.

You have 4 days in centre and the rest is done in your own time / online.

Take a look here if you are interested. I understand if it's not for you, but if it even might be ... just a teeny weeny bit.. then what have you got to lose? Or anyone for that matter.

looby75

Honeypie wrote: »

Assessors come from all walks of life, from all kinds of sectors and they all have to start somewhere.

do you have to have any other specific qualifications in order to become an assessor?

The reason I ask is because I only have GCSE's (all C and above) but I have a fair bit of experience in retail. I can't work in normal retail anymore because of health problems which mean I can't stand for hours on end. I have been told many times however that I am a "natural" teacher. Every course I've ever been on (through work or through the JC) I usually end up helping and advising other people, often without realising it so I think that maybe becoming an NVQ assessor might be something I would be interested in.

AP007

I do not see how you can only be tested on a candidates work who surely wants their work to be checked by someone qualified.

I just think its an easy way out of not bothering with people.

crabyducky

Well I got a job on Thursday only temporary mind, and it was through my advisor. Despite all our differences I thanked her for the opportunity, I thought she was gonna go POP. IM glad to be working again even if temporary, and I've made a great friend with the lady who did the pets course I went on.

donnajunkie

AP007 wrote: »

Well I can not do anything other than sit at home job searching as I have to available to contact between 9-5pm each day or can be mandated by the WP if I am not contactable.

same here my appointment slip says i must be contactable at all times. as they only have a landline as a form of contact it means i cant leave the house during the day during the week.

Honeypie

looby75 wrote: »

do you have to have any other specific qualifications in order to become an assessor?

The reason I ask is because I only have GCSE's (all C and above) but I have a fair bit of experience in retail. I can't work in normal retail anymore because of health problems which mean I can't stand for hours on end. I have been told many times however that I am a "natural" teacher. Every course I've ever been on (through work or through the JC) I usually end up helping and advising other people, often without realising it so I think that maybe becoming an NVQ assessor might be something I would be interested in.

As long as you don't have any numeracy or literacy issues, you should be fine. They ask that you have at least 2 years experience in a sector (retail and/or customer service for example) or a higher qual in your chosen area.
Then you're good to go.

It's such a great opportunity, I say go for it.