NVQ Certificates

Jonners85

I completed at the end of October 2016 a NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Customer Service.


The work I did, was independently verified by the end of November 2016.


By early/mid January I am told there is a hold up in sending me the Certificates, because the training provider needed a GCSE Certificate that stated I did 'English Language' however it said 'English' things were slightly different back in 2002. But this was overcome with some explanation.


By 6 February 2016 I get a along the lines of waiting on ACE to send Framework Certificate.


I am now being told the Company that provides the Certificates may have posted them out late.


How long must I wait?


I've asked the Assessor but the way she puts herself across by text it is not her affair, they seem anxious to get you on these courses, but wash their hands when it comes to helping. 'It is out of my hands' to but quote.


I've asked, if she would step in? If need be. I don't even get a response!


Anyhow she says she has all the other Certificates, but not the Framework one, I asked, how many are there in total, once again, no reply.


At the time I just thought this was a good course to do at the time, being that I already worked in Retail.
The way the units for this course were worded, it may as well have been academic, i.e. at College.


Not sure what to do here. It may be early days, but right now it feels all for nothing.


Thanks.

fewgroats

The way I understand NVQs is that you need a job in the subject before you can study it.

Jonners85

Yes, I work in Retail, and had done for atleast 9 years, before beginning this Course.


It was just the Assessor goes snooping round Companies to try and rope People in to doing these Courses.

nbinblack

There is a 10 day turnaround once ACE approves your certification, the Company that you are doing the Apprenticeship with will have a certification/admin department who will be able to log into ACE to see the current status of your certificate. I would ask your assessor for the contact details of that Department or his/her Team Leader so that you can escalate your enquiry. I would also ensure I do this by email, rather than text message.

Certificates can take longer if your name was illegible on the ACE form or some other criteria incorrect, your initial delay was due to your English not being RPL'd.

The certificates your assessor currently has are probably your ERR, PLTS and Diploma, those on their own are good evidence of qualifications but the Framework certificate brings them all together.

Jonners85

Hi,


Thanks for your guidance, I think from memory the English Certificate had been declined. But she uploaded it again, and it was then said to have been accepted.


If it was accepted on 6 February, then I would begin to count from say 7 Feb onwards, so if we count working days, then Monday is the deadline ideally.


As I said above, she says it is out of her hands, and also forgot to mention, she says it is out of the organisations hands (that she works for).

I feel this is utter bull, and just being fobbed off.


I will give it until Wednesday before asking where things are up to again.


May I also ask, if my Assessors, Team Leader/Manager can check the status of the Framework Cert, could the Assessor do this also?


Thanks.

nbinblack

It isn't out of her or the Organisation's hands, the certificate will be sent to them for distribution to you, they will have processes in place to document the receipt of this and maybe copy and file it in your Learner Admin File before your file is closed and stored in case the Skills Funding Agency want to carry out an audit.

I don't think the Team Leader/Manager would be able to access the information directly, but they would be the initial point of escalating your enquiry. If the company has a website you may find suitable contact details on there for hierarchy to escalate it, but wait until the 10 working days have passed.
In the company I work for the assessor or internal quality assurer raises the confirmation that all components of the Apprenticeship have been achieved and evidence (certificates) provided to Contract Admin, they pass this on to certification who raises the request for the Framework certificate. Once that certificate is received, it is sent to the assessor (which sounds likely at your organisation, with the assessor saying she has your other certificates) who arranges to visit the learner (you) to get you to sign for the certificate, to confirm receipt.

nbinblack

Your assessor or her Team Leader should be able to check on their internal administration system to see if your certificate has been received by the Organisation because Certification update it on there as part of the Skills Funding Agency requirements. Certification (or the equivalent) would be the only ones able to access ACE to see what stage your certificate is at.

Jonners85

I didn't think it would be fair to name the organisation, but I will.


It is YMCA Training.


They did have a Office a Street or two away from where I worked, but it has since closed. I don't have any given location where I can track her down for a brief chat. As she didn't say where she'd personally setup Office. But sometimes does meet her candidates at a Motor Vehicle Centre, at the other side of the town.


But I do have a text from her Mobile, saying the exact words. 'it is out of my hands & YMCA, just have to wait for CFA to process it!! C&G late posting of diploma certs so later uploading ACE form' I will be preserving this text.


I questioned why it is out of their hands 'we only send info we don't process cert'


Thanks for enlightening me

nbinblack

She may have a home based office as my team do, it reduces the overheads for the organisation and can expand the area that they cover.

I find it hard to believe that she doesn't have anything further to do with the certificate, considering she has already told you she has your other certificates, unless they do distribution by post, but somebody in the organisation would do it because ACE don't directly distribute them.

If you get no joy when you contact her you could always try ringing Head Office number from their website - 020 7343 1844

Jonners85

I will wait the 10 working days like you advised, then email her directly. As it should go to her work based Laptop and work email account.


From what you say, I think I vaguely remember her saying, she setup office at Home.


I would imagine she would receive the Framework Certificate directly before I do, as she says she has all the others. I don't know how she received them, I don't think she'd be willing to talk if I asked.


If there is no joy, I will give Head Office a call, or would it be worth a visit to their offices in Manchester City Centre? I shouldn't really have to go over there, then saying that, I may not even be able to gain entry?

Jonners85

Thanks for all your assistance nbinblack